IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


1.0 


I.I 


IL25  iU 


III 


1.6 


Photographic 

Sciences 

Corporation 


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23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  14580 

(716)873-4503 


CIHM/ICMH 

Microfiche 

Series. 


CIHIVI/ICIVIH 
Collection  de 
microfiches. 


Canadian  fnstitute  for  Historical  Microreproductions  /  Institut  Canadian  de  microreproductions  historiques 


Technical  and  Bibliographic  Notaa/Notaa  tachniquas  at  bibliographiquaa 


Th 
to 


Tha  Inatituta  haa  attamptad  to  obtain  tha  baat 
original  copy  availabia  for  filming.  Faaturaa  of  thia 
copy  which  may  ba  bibliographically  uniqua, 
which  may  altar  any  of  tha  imagaa  in  tha 
raproduction.  or  which  may  aignificantly  changa 
tha  uaual  mathod  of  filming,  ara  chaclcad  balow. 


D 


Colourad  covara/ 
Couvartura  da  coulaur 


[~n   Covara  damagad/ 


D 


Couvartura  andommagia 

Covara  raatorad  and/or  laminatad/ 
Couvartura  raataurAa  at/ou  palliculAa 


□   Covar  titia  miaaing/ 
La 


D 
D 


D 


D 


titra  da  couvartura  manqua 

lourad  mapa/ 
Cartaa  gtegraphiquaa  mt  coulaur 

Colourad  ink  (i.a.  othar  than  blua 

Encra  da  coulaur  (i.a.  autra  qua  blaua  ou  noira) 


I     I   Colourad  mapa/ 

r~n   Colourad  ink  (i.a.  othar  than  blua  or  black)/ 


I     I   Colourad  plataa  and/or  illuatrationa/ 


Planchaa  at/ou  illuatrationa  an  coulaur 


Bound  with  othar  material/ 
RalM  avac  d'autraa  documanta 


Tight  binding  may  cauaa  ahadowa  or  diatortion 
along  intarior  margin/ 

La  r0  liura  sarrie  paut  cauaar  da  I'ombra  ou  da  la 
diatoralon  la  long  do  la  marge  intirieure 

Blank  laavaa  added  during  restoration  may 
appear  within  the  text.  Whenever  poaaibla.  theae 
have  been  omitted  from  filming/ 
II  se  peut  que  certainaa  pagea  blanchaa  ajoutiaa 
lore  d'una  reatauration  apparaiasant  dana  la  texte. 
maia,  lorsqua  cela  itait  poaaibla.  caa  pagea  n'ont 
pea  4tA  filmAaa. 

Additional  comments:/ 
Commentairas  supplAmentairaa; 


L'Inatitut  a  microfilm*  la  mailleur  exemplaire 
qu'il  lui  a  ttt  possible  de  se  procurer.  Les  details 
da  cat  exemplaire  qui  sont  peut-Atre  uniques  du 
point  de  vue  bibliographiqua,  qui  peuvent  modifier 
une  image  reproduite,  ou  qui  peuvent  exiger  une 
modification  dana  la  mithoda  normale  de  filmage 
aont  indiqute  ci-daasous. 


r~n   Colourad  pagea/ 


D 


Pagea  da  coulaur 

Pagea  damaged/ 
Pagea  endommagiaa 


□   Pages  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
Pages  restaurias  at/ou  pelliculAes 

0   Pagea  discoloured,  stained  or  foxed/ 
Pages  dicolories.  tachaties  ou  piqu< 


piquies 


I     I   Pagea  detached/ 


Pages  ditachies 

Showthroughy 
Tranaparance 

Quality  of  prin 

Qualit*  inAgale  de  I'impreaaion 

Includea  supplementary  matarli 
Comprend  du  material  suppi^mantaira 

Only  edition  available/ 
Seule  Mition  disponible 


r^  Showthrough/ 

I     I  Quality  of  print  varies/ 

I     I  Includes  supplementary  material/ 

rn  Only  edition  available/ 


Pages  wholly  or  partially  obscured  by  errata 
slips,  tissues,  etc..  have  been  refilmed  to 
ensure  the  best  possible  image/ 
Les  pages  totalement  ou  partiellement 
obacurcias  par  un  feuillet  d'errata.  une  pelure. 
etc..  ont  ixi  filmtes  i  nouveau  de  fa^on  i 
obtanir  la  meilleure  image  possible. 


Th 
po 
of 
fill 


Or 
be 
thi 
sio 
oti 
fin 
sio 
or 


Th 
sh< 
TH 
wh 

Ma 
dif 
ent 
bei 
rig 
req 
ma 


Thia  item  is  filmed  at  the  reduction  ratio  checked  below/ 

Ce  document  est  film*  au  taux  da  reduction  indiqu*  ci-dassous. 

10X  14X  18X  22X 


26X 


30X 


■ 

^ 

■ 

12X 


16X 


aox 


24X 


28X 


32X 


Th«  copy  filmad  h«r«  hat  bMn  rvproducod  thanks 
to  tha  ganarosity  of: 

Ralph  Piekard  Ball  Library 
Mount  Allhon  Unhranity 


L'axamplaira  film*  fut  raproduit  grica  A  la 
gAniroaitA  da: 

Ralph  PMcaid  Ball  Library 

Mount  Allison  Univanity 


Tha  imagat  appaaring  hara  ara  tha  baat  quality 
posaibia  conaidaring  tha  condition  and  lagibility 
of  tha  original  copy  and  in  kaaping  with  tha 
filming  contract  •pacifications. 


Original  copies  in  printad  papar  covars  ara  f  iimad 
baginning  with  tha  front  covar  and  anding  on 
tha  last  paga  with  a  printad  or  illustratad  impras- 
sion,  or  tha  back  covar  whan  appropriata.  All 
othar  original  copias  ara  filmad  baginning  on  tha 
first  paga  with  a  printad  or  illustratad  impras- 
sion,  and  anding  on  the  last  paga  with  a  printad 
or  illustratad  impression. 


The  last  recorded  frame  on  each  microfiche 
shall  contain  the  symbol  — »■  (meaning  "CON- 
TINUED"), or  the  symbol  V  (meaning  "END"), 
whichever  applies. 

I\flaps,  plates,  charts,  etc.,  may  be  filmed  at 
different  reduction  ratios.  Those  too  large  to  be 
entirely  included  in  one  exposure  are  filmed 
beginning  in  the  upper  left  hand  corner,  left  to 
right  and  top  to  bottom,  as  many  frames  as 
required.  The  following  diagrams  illustrate  the 
method: 


Lea  imagea  auhrantas  ont  AtA  reproduites  avac  la 
plus  grand  aoin,  compta  tenu  de  la  condition  at 
do  la  nattet*  de  I'exemplaira  film*,  et  en 
conformity  avac  las  conditions  du  contrat  da 
filmaga. 

Lea  exemplairas  originaux  dont  la  couvarture  en 
papier  eat  imprimte  sont  filmAs  en  commenpant 
par  la  premier  plat  et  en  terminant  aoit  par  la 
darnlAre  paga  qui  comporta  una  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'iliustration,  solt  par  la  second 
plat,  salon  la  cas.  Toua  las  autres  axemplcirea 
originaux  sont  filmte  an  commandant  par  la 
pramiAre  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impreaaion  ou  d'iliustration  et  en  terminant  par 
la  darnlAre  page  qui  comporte  une  telle 
empreinte. 

Un  des  symboles  suivants  apparattra  sur  la 
darnlAra  image  de  cheque  microfiche,  selon  le 
cas:  la  symbols  -^  signifie  "A  SUIVRE",  le 
symbols  ▼  signifie  "FIN". 

Les  cartes,  plenches,  tableaux,  etc.,  peuvent  Atre 
filmAs  A  des  taux  da  rMuction  diff Arents. 
Lorsque  le  document  est  trop  grend  pour  Atre 
reproduit  en  un  seul  clichA,  il  est  film*  A  partir 
de  I'engie  supArieur  gauche,  de  gauche  A  droite, 
et  de  heut  en  bas,  en  prenant  le  nombre 
d'images  nAcessa^ra.  Les  disgrammes  suivanta 
illustrent  le  mAthode. 


1  2  3 


1 

2 

3 

4 

S 

6 

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Mount    Allison 

University 

Ralph  Pickard  Bell  Library 


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R.    MABEE 


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A    MODER 


<Bpit  ^otm, 


0256908 


I    N 


FOUR      C  A  N  T  O  S. 


'  By  JOHN  TRUMBULL,  Esq. 


<}•■ 

WITH 


EXPLANATORY  NOTES. 


Ergo  non  fatis  eft  rifu  diducere  riAum 
Audituris :  et  eft  qusedam  tamem  hie  qtioque  viftttt. 
Eft  brevitate  opus  ut  currat  fententia,  neu  Ce 
Impediat  verbis  laifas  onerantibus  aures. 
Et  fermone  opus  eft  modo  trifti,  (aepe  jocofo,        ^ 
Defendente  yicem  modo  Rhetoris,  atque  Poetae, 
Interdum  nrbani,  parcentis  viribus  atque 
Extenuantis  eas  confulto.     Ridiculum  acri 
fortius  et  melius  magnas  plerumque  fecat  res. 

Horat.  Lib.  X.  Sat.  lO. 


•1  ••  ■ 


BO  S  r  0  Nr" 
Printed  by  Manntng  ^  LoitiNG» 

ForEBENEZER  LARKIN,  No.  47,  CorML 

At  J^  kTa  A|  JU  fcfc 

»799- 


:^' 


■il^r 


m 


0256908 


«v; 


.jsj-irsKTTt:,-, 


f*' 


PREFACE. 


I  :t:"'d''^ 


«4~4 


>•>•■ 


."  .  -I   ■ 


X  HE  following  Poem  was  firft  pabliHied 
in  1782,  in  the  State  of  Connedlicut,  where  the 
Author  was  born,  and  received  his  education, 
and  where  he  now  rcfides.  It  has  paiFed  through 
fevcral  impreflions  in  this  country,  ai^d  Great- 
Britain,  and  has  obtained  univerfal  celebrity. 

In  1792,  a  fpleudid  edition  of  it  appeared  ia 
London,  with  explanatory  notes.  So  far  as  thefc 
notes  contain  fafts,  and  ferve  to  elucidate  paf- 
fages,  which  would  be  otherwife  obfcufe,  they  are 
retained  in  this  edition  :  But  as  that  London  edi- 
tion was  publiftied  to  anfwer  the  purpofes  of  a 
party,  and  the  Editor  has  taken  the  liberty  to 
mifreprefent  tlie  views  of  the  Author,  the  preface 
and  fuch  of  the  notes  as  were  inJIrted  for  that 
purpofe,  are  here  omitted.     This  h  done  at  the 


IV 


PREFACE. 


requeft  of  the  Author,  with  whofe  permiffion,  this 
edition  is  offered  to  the  American  public. 

The  defign  of  the  Poem  will  be  ft  appear  from 
its  general  tenor.  The  Author,  at  the  time  the 
oppofition  of  America  to  the  unjuft  claims  of  the 
Britifli  Parliament  was  maturing  into  fyftem,  liv- 
ed in  Bo/lon  with  one  of  the  principal  prnjeiflors 
of  American  Independence.  He  efpoufed  the 
caufe  of  his  country,  and  became  intimately  ac- 
quainted with  the  tranfa;5lions  of  the  early  revo- 
huionifts,  and  all  the  meafures  of  the  Britifh 
agents,  to  counteraift  the  oppofition.  This  ap- 
pears by  a  number  of  Anecdotes,  very  humor- . 
oufly  related,  in  the  courfe  of  tlie  Poem.        - 

That  the  Author  is  a  warm  friend  of  Amer- 
ican Independence,  is  obvious,  from  the  whole 
tenor  of  the  work ;  and  the  principal  fcope  of  the 
Poem  feems  to  have  been,  to  ridicule  the  claims 
of  the  Britifh  Parliament,  and  the  meafures  pur- 
fueJ  to  enforce  thiofe  claims.  At  the  fame  time, 
the  abfurdities  and  mifcondudl  of  his  own  coun- 
trymen have  not  efcaped  his  notice.  •'  '■ 


t**'" 


*fef. 


PREFACE.  T 

The  Author  is  no  friend  to  monarchy,  nor 
ariflocracy ;  nor  is  he  a  raving  democrat.  He 
is  a  friend  of  republican  government,  and  rational 
liberty — that  liberty  which  is  fecured  by  juft 
laws,  and  a  fleady  adminidrationof  juftice.  But 
it  is  not  true  that  the  Poem  was  written  with  the 
fole  view  to  ridicule  any  particular  form  of  gov- 
ernment. 

The  fceiie  of  the  Poem  is  laid  in  MafTachufetts, 
where  the  Revolution  originated.  The  time  is  in 
1775.  M*FiNGAL  the  hero,  is  defigned  to  repre- 
fent  the  Tory  fadtion  in  general :  and  Honorius, 
the  Whigs. 

It  is  unneceflary  to  fay  any  thing  of  the  merit 
of  the  Poem.  This  is  univerfally  ackn*.  v'^ledged ; 
and  the  Poem  will  continue  to  be  read  and  admir- 
ed, while  true  tafte  and  fcience  adorn  the  civilized 
world.  The  philofopher  in  his  clolet,  the  travel- 
ler on  his  voyage,  and  the  man  of  b'ufmefs  at  his 
fire-fide,  will  always  find  M*Fingal,  an  inftruc- 
tive  friend,  and  a  pleafant  companion. 


'.i. 


^    ■ 


•7 


THE  Notes  in  this  Edition  marked  *with  inverted 

m 

Commits^  were  inferted  by  the  Author  in  the  firfl  Edi- 
tion ;  thofe  that  are  not  fo  marked y  are  principally  ex* 
traced  and  altered  from  a  London  Edition^  printed 
in  the  Tear  11^2.  .    ; 


1 .'  •■, 


■K:., 


;i-:.».    H 


'-"  1  ,■■ 


M  '  F     I     N     G     A     L. 


CANTO    FIRST. 


■y\i'   * 


The  Town-Meeting,  A.  M. 


W: 


HEN  Yankies,*i  fkill'd  in  martial  rule, 
FIrft  put  the  Britifh  troops  to  fchool ; 
Inftrudted  them  in  warlike  trade. 
And  new  manoeuvres  of  parade  ; 
The  true  war-dance  of  Yankey-reels, 
And  manual  exercife  of  heels ;      * 
Made  them  give  up,  like  faints  complete, 
The  arm  of  flefli,  and  truft  the  feet, 


*  Tanilesf  a  term  formerly  of  derUlon,  but  now  merely 
«fdiflindion,  given  to  the  people  of  the  four  Eaftern  States 


M*F  IN  G  A  L. 


CANTO  I. 


And  work,  like  Chridians  undifTembling; 
Salvation  out,  by  fear  and  trembling  ;      ^ 
Taught  Percy  fafhionable  races, 
And  modern  modes  of  Chevy-Chafes  :* 
From  Bodon,  in  his  heft  array. 
Great  'Squire  M*Fingal  took  his  way, 
And,  grac'd  with  enfigns  of  renown, 
Steer*d  homeward  to  his  native  town. 

His  high  defcent  our  heralds  trace 
To  f  Oflian's  fam'd  Fingalian  race  ; 
For  thoiigh  their  name  fome  part  may  lack. 
Old  Fingal  fpelt  it  with  a  Mac  ; 
Which  great  M*Pherfon,  with  fubmifllon. 
We  hope  will  add  the  next  edition. 

His  fathers  flouri(h'd  in  the  Highlands 
Of  Scotia's  fog-benighted  iflands ; 
Whence  gain'd  our  'Squire  two  gifts  by  right, 
Rebellion  and  the  Sccond-fight. 
Of  thefe  the  firft,  in  ancjent  days, 
Had  gain'd  the  nobled  palms  of  praife, 

*  Lord  Percy  commanded  the  party  that  was  firft  oppofed  by 
the  Americans  at  Lexington.  This  allufion  to  the  family  renown 
of  Chevy-Chace  arofe  from  the  precipitate  manner  of  his  quit* 
ting  the  field  of  battle,  and  returning  to  Boflon.  -    ■.,:■'' 

f  «*  See  Fingal,  an  ancient  Epic  Poem,publiflicd  as  the  work 
of  Oflian,  a  Caledonian  Bard,  of  the  third  century,  by  James 
M«Pherfon,  a  Scotch  minifterial  fcribblcr." 


♦r 


CANTO  !. 


->  i\i 


M*f  I  N  O  A  1.  ^ 

'Gainfl  Kings  (lood  forth,  and  many  a  crown*d  head 

With  terror  of  its  might  confounded ; 

Till  rofe  a  King  with  potent  charm 

His  foes  by  goodncfs  to  difarm  |    *-  - 

Whom  cv'ry  Scot  and  Jacobite  ^  ^ 

Straight  fell  in  love  with — at  firft  fight ; 

Whofe  gracious  fpeech,  with  aid  of  pcnfions, 

Huih'd  down  all  murmurs  of  diifenfionst 

And  with  the  found  of  potent  metal, 

Brought  all  their  bluft'ring  (Varnis  to  fettle  i 

Who  rain'd  his  miniflcrial  mannas^       "'-^ 

Till  loud  Sedition  fung  Hofannas ;      ^    V*  f  *> 

The  good  Lords  Bilhops  and  the  Kirk 

United  in  the  public  work  ;  -  -«***/ 

Rebellion  from  the  northern  regions 

With  Bute  and  MansHeld  fwore  allegiance» 

And  all  combin'd  to  raze,  as  nuifancct 

Of  church  and  (late,  the  conftitutions ; 

Pull  down  the  empire,  on  whofe  ruins 

They  meant  to  edify  their  new  ones  i       ^3. 

Enflave  the  American  wildernefles,        :  >. 

And  tear  the  provinces  in  pieces,  •  **-  -'-^f 

For  thefe  our  'Squire,  among  the  valiant'ftt" 

Employed  his  time  and  tools  and  talents' f 

And  in  their  caufe,  with  manly  zeal> 

Us'd  his  fir  ft  virtue  to  rebel ; 

And  found  this  new  rebellion  pleafing 

A'S  his  old  king-deftroying  treafon. 


10 


M^FIN  G  A  L* 


CANTO  U 


Nor  lefs  avaiPd  his  optic  fleight,  ^ 
And  Scottifli  gift  of  fecond-fight. 
No  ancient  fybil,  fam'd  in  rhyme, 
Saw  deeper  in  the  womb  of  time  ;    ,  , ,  . 
No  block  in  old  Dodona's  grove,  ' 

Could  ever  moreorac'lar  prove.     _  f    ;  ;, 
Nor  only  faw  he  all  that  was, 
But  much  that  never  came  to  pafs  ; 
Whereby  all  Prophets  far  out-went  he, 
Though  former  days  produc*d  a  plenty  ; 
For  any  man  with  half  an  eye, 
What  ftunds  before  him  may  efpy ; 
But  optics  fharp  it  needs,  I  ween* 
To  fee  what  is  not  to  be  fecn.     ,     >, 
As  in  the  days  of  ancient  fame 
Prophets  and  poets  were  the  fame. 
And  all  the  praife  that  poets  gain 
Is  tutfor  what  tli*  invent jind  feign  j 
So  gain'd  our  'Squire  his  fame  by  feeing 
Such  things  as  never  would  have  being. 
Whence  he  for  orades  was  grown 
The  very  iripod*  of  his  town.  -  : 

Gazettes  no  fooncr  rofe  a  lie  in« 
But  ftraigbt  he  fell  to  prophefying^  -  ^^d 
Made  dreadful  {laughter  in  his  courfe,    ; 
Overthrew  provincials,  foot  and  horfe  5 


iV»  S  !  ,,«  I 


.^ 


u, : 


1  »; 


•  **  The  tripod  was  a  facred  three  legged  (lool,  frotn  whifilk    ' 
Ijic  ancient  pricft 8  ottered  their  oracles." 


CANTO  I. 


M*  F  I  N  O  A  L. 


1^1 


Brought  armies  o'er  by  fudden  preflings, 
Of  Hanoverians,  Swifs,  and  Hedians  y 
Feafted  with  blood  his  Scottilh  clah, 
And  hang*d  all  rebels  to  a  man ; 
Divided  their  eftates  and  pelf, 
And  took  a  goodly  (hare  himfelf,*        r  ^ 
All  this,  with  fpirit  energetic,       "s  *a  ,4 
He  did  by  fecond-fight  prophetic. 

Thus  ftor*d  with  intelledlual  riches, 
Skill'd  was  our  'Squire  in  making  fpeeches, 
Where  ftrength  of  brains  united  centres 
With  ftrength  of  lungs  furpafling  Stentor's.- 
But  as  fome  mufkets  fo  contrive  it,  ■    <  . 

As  oft  to  mifs  the  mark  they  drive  at,- 
And  though  well  aim'd  at  duck  or  plover,/ 
Bear  wide,  and  kick  their  owners  over  : 
So  far*d  our  'Squire,  whofe  reasoning  toil* 
Would  often  on-  himfelf  recoik 
And  fomuch  injur'd  more  his  ddcr'^   r^ 
The  ftronger  arg'ments  he  apply'd  ;■       v;^  * 
As  old  war-elephants,  diimay'd,     ..        ^f 
Trode  down  the  troops  they  came  to  aidi 

*ThIs  propKccy,  lilcc  fome  of  the- prayers  of  Hom^%  h(i^' 
roes,  Was  but  half  accotrpliihcd.  The  Hanoveriamt^^Q  . 
indeed,  came  over,  and  much  were  thcy^/eii/f f(f  ivitb  l/oodi 
but  the  banging  of  all  the  Rehtth^  and  the  dividing  their  eftatts^ 
remain  unfulfilled.  This,  however,  cannot  be  the  fault  o£- 
our  Hero,  but  rather  the  Britifh  Miiiifler,  who  IJl  oil  the  ^Va'r"^ 
before  the  work  was  completed. 


12 


M*f  IN  G  AL. 


CANTO,  I. 


And  hurt  their  own  fide  pore  in  battle 
Than  lefs  and  ordinary  cattle, 
Yet  at  town  meetings  ev'ry  chief 
Pinn'd  faith  on  great  Jtl*FingaPs  flecvc. 
And,  as  he  motioned  all  by  rote 
Rais'd  fympathetic  hands  to  vole. 

The  town,  our  Hero's  fcene  of  a^ion, 
Had  long  been  torn  by  feuds  of  fa<5lion ; 
And  as  each  party's  ftrength  prevails, 
It  turn'd  up  different  heads  or  tails  > 
With  conftant  rattling,  in  a  trice 
Show'd  various  fides,  as  oft  as  dice  : 
As  that  fam'd  weaver,*  wife  t'  Ulyfles, 
By  night  each  day's-work  pick'd  in  pieces  j 
And  though  (he  ftoutly  did  beftir  her. 
Its  finifhing  w^as  ne'er  the  nearer  : 
So  did  this  town,  with  ftedfaft  zeal,       « *  ^; 
Weave  cobwebs  for  the  public  weal, 
Which  when  completed,  or  before,  ,;. 

A  fecond  vote  in  pieces  tore. 
They  met,  made  fpeeches  full  long-winded, 
^Refolv'd,  protefted,  and  refcinded  ; 
Add^^fles /ign'd,  then  chole  Committees,"* 
T»^M||ri^  of  Bohea-teas  ;f 


mi 


*■  *i*'>;l^ 


\# 


i,-    i  i>  .  -fM^-t 


;  ;>'»^»-  "•  .f 


.tX-.-;? 


*  Homer's 


O^flTey. 


f  Oi»6f  the  futjedls  of  dlfputc,  which  brought  on  the  war, 
'WM  a  tax  laM  upon  tea,  on  its  importation  into  the  theB 


i 


#«' 


-^*  • 


CANTO  I. 


M*F  I  NO  AX. 


With  winds  of  do<5tnne  vecrM  about, 

And  turn'd  all  Whig-Committees  out* 

Meanwhile  our  Hero,  as  their  head, 

In  pomp  the  tory  fallen  led, 

Still  following,  as  the  'Squire  fhould  pleafe, 

Succeffive  on,  like  files  of  geefe. 

And  now  the  town  was  fummon'd,  greetings 
To  grand  parading  of  town-meeting  ; 
A  fhow,  that  ftrangers  might  appal, 
As  Rome's  grave  fenate  did  the  Gaul. 
High  o'er  the  rout,  on  pulpit-ftairs,* 
Like  den  of  thieves  in  houfe  of  pray'rs, 
(That  houfe,  which,  loth  a  rule  to  break,     * 
Serv'd  Heav'n.  but  one  day  ia  the  week. 
Open  the  reft  for  all  fup plies  '• 

Of  news  and  politics  and  lies,) 
Stood  forth  the  conftable,  and  bore 
His  ftafF,  like  Merc'ry's  wand  of  yore, 
Wav'd  potent  round,  the  peace  to  keep. 
As  that  laid  dead  men's  fouls  to  fleep. 

Colonics.  And,  therefore,  one  of  the  weapons  of  oppofition, 
made  ufe  of  by  the  people,  was  3  univerfal  agreement,  not  f 
ifrini  any  Tea  until  the  tax/boultl  he  taken  ojf.  The  Committees, 
here  referred  to,  were  called  Committees  of  Safety  ;  part  of 
their  bufinefs  was  to  watch  over  the  .execution  of  the  volun- 
tary regulations  made  by  the  people  i^the  feveral  towns. 


I 


*  In.country-towniVie  tg^irn'me^in^  is  genera|Lf|ii 


the  Church. 


'■i» 


*.  ■* 


H 


M^FIKG  AL. 


CANTO  R. 


rt>Vv,>:' 


Above,  and  near  th*  Hermetic  ftaflF, 
The  *xnoderator'i5  upper  half 
In  grandeur  o'er  the  cufhion  bow*d, 
Like  Sol  half  fcen  behind  a  cloud.   ' 
Beneath  ftood  voters  of  all  colours, 
Whigs,  tories,  orators,  and  bawlers, 
Withjev'ry  tongue  in  either  fadion, 
Prepared  like'minute-menjf  for  a^ion  ; 
Where  truth  and  falfehood^  wrong  and  right,. 

f  Draw  all  their  legions  out  to  fight ; 

■j  With  equal  uproar,  fcarcely  rave        - -^ 
Oppofing  winds  in  -^olus*  cave  ;* 
Such  dialogues,  with  earned  face,.    *■  =^  ' 

*  Held  never  Balaam  with  his  aft.       /     ^       ■ 
With  daring  zeal  and  courage  blefti-       ,   , 
Honorius  firft  the  crowd  addrefs'd  ; 
When  now  our  'Squire,  returning  late, 
ArrivM  to  aid  the  grand  debajs, 
With  Jlrange  four  faces  fat  him  do^,> 
While  thus^the  orator  went  on  r 


i^-i. 


*  Moderator  is  the  name  commonly  given  to  the  cHairmaiK' 
or  fpeaker  of  the  town-meeting.  He  it  here  feated  m  the- 
pulpit. 

j-  MUtute'tnen  were  that  part  of  the  militia  of  our  country' 

who,  being  drafted  and  enroikd  by.thcnifelves,  were  prepared 

^tnarch  at  a  minute's  wanj^-  —4^ v t-i:_  ivesaaia* 

required.  ^  ;  '  * 

■■J.'*  W- 


er  the  public 


CANTO  I. 


M*  F  I  K  G  A  L. 


"  — For  age$  bleft,  thus  Britain  rofc. 
The  terror  of  encircling  foes  ; 
Her  heroes  rurd  the  bloody  plain  ; 
Her  ccnqu'ring  Aandard  aw*d  the  mam 4 
The  different  palms  lier  triumphs  grace«  ■ 
Of  arms  in  war,  of  arts  in  peace  : 
IJnharafs*d  by  maternal  care, 
Each  rifing  province  flouriIh*d  fair  ; 
Whofe  various  wealth  with  lib'ral  hand« 
By  far  overpaid  the  parent  land. 
But  though  So  bright  her  fun  might  fhine, 
*Twas  quickly  hafting  to  decline, 
With  feeble  rays,  too  weak  t'  alTuage 
The  damps,  that  chill  the  eve  of  age. 

*<  For  dates,  like  men,  are  doomed  as  wfill 
Th*  infirinities  of  age  to  feel ; 
And  from  their  different  forms  of  empire^ 
Are  feizM  with  every  deep  didemper. 
Some  dates  high  fevers  have  madfe  head  in. 
Which  nought  could  cure  but  copious  bleeding  ; 
While  others  have  grown  dull  and  dozy« 
Or  fix*d  in  helplefs  idiocy  4 
Or  turn'd  demoniacs,  to  belabour 
Each  peaceful  habitant  and  neighbour  ; 
[Or,  vcf'd  with  hypocondriac  fits, 
[Hfive  brolf  their  firength,  and  loft  thfiii*  wits. 


« 


i6 


M*F  I  N  G  A  L, 


CANTO  I. 


**  Thus  now,  while  hoar^  years  prevail, 
•Good  Mother  Britain  feem'd  to  fail  ; 
Her  back  bent,  crippled  with  the  weight 
Of  age  and  debts,  and  cares  of  ftate  : 
For  debts  llie  owM,  and  thofe  fo  lat-ge 
That  twice  her  wealth  could  not  difcharge  ; 
And  now  'twas  thought,  fo  high  they'd  grown. 
She'd  break,  and  come  upon  the  town  ;* 
Her  arms,  of  nations  ohce  the  dread, 
She  fearce  could  lift  above  her  head  ; 
Her  deafen'd  ears  ('twas  all  their  hope) 
The  final  trump  perhaps  might  ope, 
So  long  they'd  been  in  ftupid  mood. 
Shut  to  the  hearing  o£  all  good  ; 
Grim  Death  had  put  her  in  his  fcrolli 
Down  on  the  execution  roll  ; 
And  Gallic  crows,  as  (he  grew  weaker. 
Began  to  whet  their  beaks  to  pick  her. 
And  now,  her  pow'rs  decaying  faft. 
Her  grand  clima<5l'ric  had  fhe  pad. 
And  jud  like  all  old  women  elfe, 
Fell  in  the  vapours  much  by  fpells. 
Strange  whimfies  on  her  fancy  ftruck. 
And  gave  her  brain  a  difmal  fhock'l 


*  7«  come  upM  the  to^vn^  that  is,  to  become 
This  remark  will  ferve  to  explai|g|||any  otheif 
town  regulaticni^n.  the  courfe  of  thi^i 


li'^vl^i..... 


ifi^fii  ■ 


'oeni. 


*<|l«r 


vCANTO  I. 


M^F  I  NG  AL, 


17 


Her  mem'ry  fails,  her  judgment  ends  ; 
She  quite  forgot  her  nearefl:  friends  ; 
Loft  all  her  former  fenfe  and  knowledge, 
And  fitted  faft  for  Bethle*m  coll'ige  : 
•Of  all  the  pow'rs  (he  once  retain'd, 
^Conceit  and  pride  alone  remained. 
As  Eve,  when  falling,  was  fo  moded 
To  fancy  flie  fhould  grow  a  goddefs  ; 
As  madmen,  ftraw  who  long  have  flept  on. 
Will  ftyle  them,  Jupiter,  or  Neptune  ; 
So  Britain,  'midft  her  airs  fo  flighty, 
Now  took  a  whim  to  be  almighty  ; 
Urg'd  on  to  defpVate  heights  of  frenzy^ 
AffirmM  her  own  Omnipotency  ;* 
Would  rather  ruin  all  her  race, 
Than  'bate  fupremacy  an  ace  ; 
Afliim'd  all  rights  divine,  as  grown 
The  church's  head,  like  good  pope  Joan  ; 
Swore  all  tlie  world  fhould  bow  and  Ikip 
To  her  almighty  Goody  (hip  5 
Anath'matiz'd  each  unbeliever. 
And  vow'd  to  live  and  rule  for  ever. 
Her  fervants  humour'd  every  whim, 
And  own'd  at  once,  her  power  fupreme. 
Her  follies  pleas'd  in  all  their  ftages, 

•  Sec  the  atft,  declaring  that  the  King  and  Parliament  had 
"**  a/ightto  bind  the  Colonics  in  all  cafxt  xvbatfotver.'* 


^ 


i8 


ji^Fl  NO  AL. 


CANTO  1. 


For  fake  of  legacies  and  wages ; 

In  *  Stephen's  Qhapel  then  in  ftatc  too 

Sat  up  her  golden  calf  to  pray  to* 

Proclaimed  its  pow'r  and  right  diviney 

And  calPd  for  worfhip  at  its  ihriney 

And  for  poor  Heretics  to  burn  us 

Bade  North  prepare  his  fiery  furnace  ; 

Struck  bargains  with  the  Romifh  churches^ 

Infallibility  to  purchafe ; 

Sat  wide  for  Popery  the  door> 

Made  friends  with  BabePs  fcarlet  whore^ 

Join'd  both  the  matrons  firm  in  clan ; 

No  fifters  made  a  better  fpan.  ^^ 

No  wonder  then,  ere  this  was  over, 

That  Ihe  fliould  make  her  children  fuffer. 

She  firft,  without  pretence  of  reafon, 

Claim*d  right  whatever  we  had  to  feizc  on  ; 

And,  with  determinM  refolution 

To  put  her  claims  in  execution, 

Sent  fire  and  fword,  and  calPd  it,  Lc'nity', 

Starv'd  us,  and  chriften'd  it.  Humanity. 

For  fhe,  her  cafe  grown  defperater, 

Miftook  the  plaineft  things  in  n^re ;  , 

Had  loft  all  ufe  of  eyes  or  wits  | 

Took  flav'ry  for  the  Bill  of  Rights  ;  v ; 

Trembled  at  whigs  and  deem*d  them  foes, * 

And  ftopp'd  at  loyalty  her  nofe ;  * 

•  "  The  Parliament-Houfc  Is  called  by  that  name.* 


CANTO  I. 


M^F  IN  OA£. 


19^ 


StjVd  her  own  children  brats  and  caitiffs, 
And  knew  not  us  from  th*  Indian  natives. 

"  What  though  with  fupplicating  prayer 
We  begg'd  our  lives  and  goods  ihe'd  fpare  ; 
Not  vainer  vows,  with  fillier  call, 
Elijah's  prophets  rais'd  to  Baal ; 
A  worlhlpp'd  (lock,  of  god  or  goddefs,^ 
Had  better  heard  and  underftood  us. 
So  once  Egyptians  at  the  Nile 
Ador*d  their  guardian  Crocodile, 
Who  heard  them  firft  with  kindefl:  car. 
And  ate  them  to  reward  their  pray 'r  ; 
And  could  he  talk,  as  kings  can  do. 
Had  made  as  gracious  fpeeches  too. 

"  Thus,  fpite  of  pray'rs  her  fchemes  purfuing. 
She  ftill  went  on  to  work  our  ruin  ; 
AimulPd  our  charters  of  relcafes. 
And  tore  our  title-deeds  in  pieces  ; 
Then  fign'd  her  warrants  of  eje<5lion, 
And  gallows  raised  to  ft  retch  our  necks  on  : 
And  on  thcfe  errands  fcnt  in  rage. 
Her  bailiff,  and  her  hangman.  Gage,* 

♦  General  Gage,  commander  in  chief  of  the  khio's  troops  i« 
North- Apfterica,  WHS  appointeti  in  1773  |jjovcrnor  and  vice-ad- 
miral of  MaflaAufetts,  in  the  room  of  Hutchinfon,  who  had 
been  the  mpfl:  aAivc  agent  of  the  Miniiler,  in  fomenting  the 
difputes  which  brought  on  the  war. 

The  charader  and  conduct  of  cJage  is  defcrib^d  with  great 
jufticc  in  the  fubfeijucnt  part  of  thi«  fpccch  of  Honoriua.   . 


20 


M^F  I  N  O  AL. 


CANTO  I- 


And  at  his  keels,  like  dogs  to  bait  us,- 
Difpatch'd  her  Pofe  Comitatus^ 

"  No  ftate  e*er  chofe  a  fitter  perfon. 
To  carry  fuch  a  filly  farce  on. 
As  heathen  gods  in  ancient  days  *•  * 

Hcceiv'd  at  fecond-hand  their  praife. 
Stood  imag'd  forth  in  fiones  and  (locks. 
And  deified  in  barbers*  blocks  ; 
So  Gage  was  chofe  to  reprefcnt 
Th'  omnipotence  of  Parliament. "  ?. 

And  as  old  heroes  gain'd,  by  ihifts,        ;  ; 
From  gods  (as  poets  tell)  their  gifts  y  -.-i- 
Our  general,  as  his  a<5^ions  (how, 
Gain'd  like  affiftance  from  below, 
By  Satan  graced  with  full  fupplles. 
From  all  his  magazine  of  lies  : 
Yet  could  his  practice  ne'er  impart 
The  wit,  to  tell  a  lie  with  art  :  ^  .  ^  - 

Thofe  lies  alone  are  formidable. 
Where  artful  truth  is  mix*d  with  fable  f    * 
But  Gage  has  bungled  oft  fo  vilely. 
No  foul  could  credit  lies  fo  filly  ; 
Outwent  all  faith,  and  ftretch'd  beyond 
Credulity's  extremeft  end. 
WLence  plain  it  feems,  though  Satan  ance 
O'crlook*d  with  fcorn  each  brainlefs  dunce. 
And,  blund'ring  brutes  in  Eden  ihunning, 
Chofe  out  the  ferpent  for  his  cunning ; 


<!' 


'.♦,,       i 


►■<    -•l«. 


f; 


i»: 


Ki.  ^t- 


CANTO  U 


M^F  I  N  G  A  L. 


21 


Of  late  he  is  not  half  fo  nice. 

Nor  pick*d  afTiIUnts,  'caufc  ihcy  're  wife. 

For  had  he  (lood  upon  perfet^ion. 

His  prefent  friends  had  loft  th*  eledlion. 

And  far'd  as  hard  in  the  proceeding, 

As  owls  and  alTes  did  in  Eden. 

«*  Yet  fools  are  often  dangerous  en'mies. 
As  meaneft  reptiles  are  moft  ven'mous  ; 
Nor  e'er  could  Gage>  by  craft  or  prdweis. 
Have  done  a  whit  more  mifchief  to  us. 
Since  he  began  th'  unnatural  war. 
The  work  his  mafters  fent  him  for* 

"  And  arc  there  in  this  free-born  land, 
Among  ourfelves,  a  venal  band, 
A  diiftard  race,  who  long  have  fold 
Their  fouls  and  confciences  for  gold ; 
Who  wilh  to  flab  their  country's  vitals, 
If  they  might  heir  furviving  titles  ; 
With  joy  behold  our  mifchief  brewing, 
Infult  and  triumph  in  our  ruin  ? 
Priefts,  who,  if  Satan  fhould  fit  down 
To  make  a  Bible  of  his  own, 
Would  gladly,  for  the  fake  of  mitres, 
Turn  his  infplr'd  and  facred  writers  ; 
Lawyers,  wlio,  fhould  he  wifli  to  prove 
His  title  t*  his  old  feat  above. 
Would,  if  his  caufe  he'd  give  'em  fees  In, 


^i 


22 


M^  F  I  N  G  A  L. 


CANTO  r. 


Bring  writs  o^  Entry  fur  dljftifm^ 
Plead  for  him  boldly  at  the  I'elfion, 
And  hope  to  put  him  in  poflcflion  ; 
Merchants,  wlio,  for  his  kindly  aid. 
Would  make  him  partner  in  their  trade^ 
H.uig  out  their  ligns  with  goodly  (how, 
Inlcrib'd  with  "  Beelzebub  and  Co,** 
And  judges,  who  would  liil  his  pages, 
For  proper  liveries  and  wages  j 
And  who  as  humbly  cringe  and  bow 
To  all  his  mortal  fervants  now  ? 
There  are  ;  andjhame,  with  pointing  geftures^ 
Marks  out  the  Addrelkrs  and  Prote Iters  j* 
Whom  following  down  tlie  ftream  of  fate. 
Contempts  ineffable  await,  \     v  .• 

And  public  infamy,  forlorn,  ,;, 

Dread  hate,  and  everlafling  fcorn.'* 

As  thus  he  fndke,  our  'Squire  M*Fingal 
Gave  to  his  partifans  a  fignah 
Not  quicker  roU'd  the  waves  to  land, 
When  Mofcs  wavM  his  potent  wand,  •   '■• 

Nor  with  more  uproar,  than  the  Tories        :^>  - 
Sat  up  a  general  rout  in  chorus  ;        ,  „      . 


•  The  Addresskrs  were  thofc  who  addrcfled  General 
Gage  with  exprcflions  of  gratitude  and  attachment,  on  his  ar- 
rival with  a  fleet  and  army  to  fubdue  tlie  colonies.  The 
Protesters  were  thofe  whoproteftcdagainil  the  meafures of 
tke  firft  Congrefs,  and  the  general  lefolutions  of  the  country. 


CANTO  U 


M^F  I  N  O  A  L. 


»3 


LaughM,  hifsM,  henim'd,  murmur'd,  groan'd,  and 

Honorius  now  could  fcnrre  be  heard.  [jcer'd ; 

Our  Mufc  amid  th'  incrcaling  roar, 

Could  not  didingutlh  one  word  more  ; 

Thougli  ihc  fat  by,  in  firm  record 

To  take  in  Ihort-hand  every  word  ( 

Ac  ancient  Mufes  wont,  to  whom 

Old  bards  for  depofiticns  come  ; 

Wlio  muft  have  writ  'cm  ;  for  how  elfc 

Could  they  each  fpeech  verbatim  tell  us  ? 

And  though  fome  readers  of  romances 

Are  apt  to  drain  their  tortur'd  fancies, 

And  doubt  when  lovers  all  alone 

Their  fad  foliloquies  do  groan. 

Grieve  many  a  page  with  no  one  near  'cm. 

And  nought  but  rocks  and  groves  to  hear  *cm. 

What  fprite  infernal  could  have  tattled 

And  told  the  authors  all  they  prattled  \ 

Whence  fome  weak  minds  have  made  obje^ion^ 

That  what  thev  fcribbled  muft  be  fi^ion : 

'Tis  falfc,  for  while  the  lovers  fpoke. 

The  Mufe  was  by  with  table-book ; 

And,  left  fome  blunder  might  cnfue. 

Echo  ftood  clerk,  and  kept  the  cue. 

And  though  the  fpeech  ben'c  worth  a  groat, 

A«  ufual,  'tisn't  tlie  author's  fault, 


24 


M*F  I  N  G  A  L, 


CANTO  L 


P 


But  error  merely  of  the  prater,        '<'  n 

Who  fhould  have  talkM  to  th*  purpofe  better ; 

Which  full  excufe,  my  critic  brothers,     . 

May  help  me  out  as  well  as  others  ;       % 

And  'tis  defign'd,  though  here  it  lurk,  ;•    ^' 

To  ferve  as  preface  to  this  work.        -  '  / 

So  let  it  be — for  now  our  'Squire 

No  longer  could  contain  his  ire  5  .. 

And  ri/lng, 'midft  applauding. Tories,    ; 

Thus  vented  wrath  upon  Honorius.         •       * 
Quoth  he,  "  'Tis  wond'rous  what  ftrange  ftuff 

Your  Whigs*  heads  are  compounded  of; 

Which  force  of  logic  cannot  pierce. 

Nor  A'lbgiftic  carte  £3*  //>rrr, 

Nor  .1w<^rt  of  icripture  or  of  reafon 

SiHH^e  to  make  the  lead  impreflion. 

Not  Seeding  what  ye  rais'd  centeft  on. 

Ye  prate,  and  beg  or  fteal  the  que  ft  ion  ; 
,  And  when  your  boafted  arguings  fail. 

Straight  leave  all  reasoning  o-ff,  to  rail. 
Have  not  our  High-Church  Clergy  made  it 
Appear  from  fcriptures,  which  ye  credit, 
That  right  divine  from  heaven  was  lent 
To  kings,  that  is,  tJie  Parliament, 
Their  fubjcds  to  opprefs  and  teaze. 
And  ferve  tlie  Devil  when  they  pleafe  ? 
Did  they  not  write,  and  pray,  and  preach. 
And  torture  all  tlie  parts  of  ij^eech  ; 


* 
** 


4 


CANTO  I. 


M*F  ING  A  L. 


^5 


About  Rebellion  malce  a  pother,      «i 
From  one  end  of  the  land  to  th'  other  ? 
And  yet  gain'd  fewer  pros'lyte  Whigs, 
Than  old  *  St.  Anth'ny  'mongft  the  pigs  ; 
And  chang'd  not  half  fo  many  vicious 
As  Auftin,  when  he  preach'd  to  fifhes  ; 
Who  throng'd  to  hear,  the  legend  tells. 
Were  edified  and  wagg'd  tlieir  tails  ; 
But  fcarce  youM  prove  it,  if  you  tried,     v 
That  e'er  one  Whig  was  edified.  '     v 

Have  ye  not  heard  from  f  Parfon  Walter 
Much  dire  preflige  of  many  a  halter  ?     --.p- 
What  warnings  had  ye  of  your  duty  '^ 

From  our  old  Rev'rend  f  Sam.  Auchmuty  ? 
From  priefts  of  all  degrees  and  metres, 
T*  our  fag-end  man,  poor  J  Parfon  Peters  ? 
Have  not  our  Cooper  and  our  Seabury 
Sung  hymns,  like  Barak  and  old  Deborah  ; 

*  "  The  ftories  of  St.  Anthony  and  his  pig,  and  St.  Auftin'$ 
preaching  to  fifhes,  are  told  in  the  Popifii  legends." 

f  "  High-Church  Clergymen,  one  at  Bofton,  and  one  at 
New-York." 

I  "  Peters,  a  Tory-Clergyman  in  Connedlicut,  who,  after 
making  liinu^elf  detcftable  by  his  inimical  condiitft,  abfconded 
from  the  contempt,  rather  than  the  vengeance  of  his  country- 
men, and  fled  to  England,  to  make  complaints  againft  that 
Colony  :  Cooper,  a  writer,  poet,  and  fatirift  of  the  fame  flamp, 
Prefident  of  the  College  at  New-York ;  Seabury,  a  Clergy- 
man of  the  fame  Province."         ' 


--  'f 


26 


MT  I  N  G  AL. 


CANTO  I. 


Proved  all  intrigues  to  fet  you  free,  ■ 
Rebellion  'gainft  the  pcw^n  that  be  ; 
Brought  over  many  a  fcripture  text 
That  us'd  to  wink  at  rebel  fefts ;       . 
CoaxM  wayward  ones  to  favour  regents* 
Or  paraphrased  them  to  obedience  ; 
Prov*d  ev'ry  king,  ev'n  thofe  confeft 
Horns  of  th'  Apocalyptic  beaft, 
And  fprouting  from  its  noddles  feven, 
Orduin'd,  as  bifliops  are,  by  Heaven, 
(For  reafons  fim'lar,  we  are  told, 
That  Tophet  was  ordain'd  of  old  ;) 
By  this  lay  ordination  valid 
Becomes  all  fandlified  and  hallow'd, 
Takes  patent  out  when  Heav*n  has  fign'd  it. 
And  ftarts  np  ftraight  the  Lord's  anointed  ? 
Like  extreme  unction,  that  can  cleanfe 
Each  penitent  from  deadly  fins, 
Make  them  run  glib,  when  oiPd  by  prieft, 
The  heavenly  road,  like  wheels  new  greas'd. 
Serve  them  like  flioe-ball,  for  defences  '  : 

'Gainfl:  wear  and  tear  of  confciences  ; 
So  king's  anointment  cleans  betimes, 
Like  fuller's  earth,  all  ipots  cf  crimes  ; 
For  future  knav'ries  gives  commifilons, 
Like  Papifts  finning  under  liccnfe, 
For  Heaven  ordain'd  the  origin, 
Divme*  declare,  of  pain  and  fin  ; 


■;;;M;-.-  -" 


CANTO  I. 


M'F  I  N  G  A  L, 


27 


Prove  fuch  great  good  they  both  have  done  us, 

Kind  mercy  'twas  they  came  upon  us  : 

For  without  pain  and  fin  and  folly, 

Man  ne'er  were  bleft,  or  wife,  or  holy ; 

And  we  fhould  *  thank  the  Lord  'tis  fo. 

As  authors  grave  wrote  long  ago. 

Now  Heav'n  its  ifliics  never  brings  < 

Without  the  means,  and  theie  are  kings ; 

And  he  who  blames  when  they  announce  ills. 

Would  counterad:  th*  eternal  councils. 

As  when  the  Jews,  a  murm'ring  race,      '^  *' 

By  conflant  grumblings  fell  from  grace, 

Heav'n  taught  them  firft  to  know  their  diftance> 

By  famine,  flav'ry,  and  Phlliftines  ;  '*  ^ 

When  thefe  could  no  repentance  bring, 

In  wrath  it  fent  them  lafl:  a  king. 

So  nineteen,  'tis  believ'd,  In  twenty  \; 

Of  modern  kings,  for  plagues  are  fent  ye  ;. 

Nor  can  your  cavillers  pretend. 

But  that  they  anfwer  well  their  end. 

*Tis  yours  to  yield  to  their  command,,     ' 

As  rods  In  Providence's  hand  ;  ' 

And  If  it  means  to  fend  you  pain, 

You  turn  your  nofes  up  in  vain  : 

Your  only  way's   in  peace  to  bear  it^  ^ 

And  make  neccfuty  a  merit.       .  . 


*  "  See  the  Movleru  Mctaj^hriiciil  Diviirity.'*' 


28 


M*f  I  N  O  A  L. 


CANTO  I, 


Hence  Aire  perdition  muft  await  \  r  i  v^      f 

The  man  who  rifes  'gainft  the  ftate,  .     t 

Who  meets  at  once  the  damning  fentence^     .      ,  ^ 

Without  one  loop- hole  for  repentance  ; 

E'en  though  he  gain*d  the  royal  fee,  ,  i  ^^ 

And  riink  among  the  pcnsfrs  that  he  : 

For  hell  is  theirs,  the  Scripture  Ihows, 

Wlioe*cr  the  po^cors  that  he  oppofe, 

And  all  thofe  powers  (1  am  clear  that  'tis  fo) 

Are  damn' d  forever,  <?x  e^tm  .        * 

**  Thus  far  our  Clergy  ;  but  'tis  true, 
We  lack'd  not  earthly  reas'ncrs  too. 
Had  I  the  *  Poet's  brazen  lungs, 
As  found-board  to  his  hundred  tongues, 
I  could  not  half  the  fcribblers  muftcr 
That  fvsrarm'd  round  Rivingtonf  in  clufter  ;, 
Aflemblies,  Councilmen,  forfooth  ; 
'  Brufh,  Cooper,  Wilkins,  Chandler,  Booth ; 
Yet  all  their  arguments  and  fap'ence 
You  did  not  value  at  three  half-pence. 
Did  not  our  Mafrachufettenfis;]: 
For  your  convicflion  drain  his  fenfes  ? 

•  «  Virgil's  jEneid,  6th  book,  line  (y%ir 

f  The  Editor  of  the  Royal  Gazette  in  New- York  ;  a  paper 

vljith  anfwcred  very  well  to  its  title,  it  being  filkd  with  thofe 

impofitions  and  falfchoods,  which  are  deemed  neccflary  to  the 

fupport  of  Royalty,  in  any  country  where  printing  is  tolerated. 

t  "  See  a  courfe  of  efiays,  under  the  fignature  of  Maffachu- 
fcttenlls." 


CANTO  I. 


M^F  I  N  G  A  L, 


29 


Scrawl  every  moment  he  could  fpare. 

From  cards  and  barbers  and  the  fair ; 

Show  clear  as  fun  in  noon-day  heavens, 

You  did  not  feel  a  ftngle  grievance  ; 

Demonftrate  all  your  oppofition 

Sprung  from  the  *  eggs  of  foul  fedltion  ; 

Swear  he  had  feen  the  neft  (he  laid  in,  j 

And  knew  how  long  Ihe  had  been  fitting  ; 

Could  tell  exadl  what  flrength  of  heat  is 

Required  to  hatch  her  out  Committees  ; 

Vvhat  ihapes  they  take,  and  how  much  longer's 

The  fpace  before  they  grow  t*  a  Congrefs  ? 

New  white  wall/d  Hutchinfon,  and  varni(h*d 

Cur  Gage,  who'd  got  a  little  tarnilh'd  ; 

Made  'em  new  maiks  in  time,  no  doubt. 

For  PIutchinfon*s  was  quite  worn  out ; 

And  while  he  muddled  all  his  head, 

You  did  not  hsed  a  word  he  faid. 

Did  not  our  grave  f  Judge  Sewall  hit 

Tlie  fummit  of  newipaper  wit  ? 

*  *'  Committees  of  Correfpondcnce  are  the  foulcft  and  moll 
v-nonious  ferpents  that  tv::  ilTaed  from  the  eggs  of  fedition," 
&c.  Maffachufettenfis. 

f  '*  Attorney-General  of  Maflachufetts  Bay,  a  Judge  of  Ad- 
miralty, Gag'j's  c]iief  Advertifer  and  Prodamation-mater, 
author  of  a  farce  c?.l!el  the  Americans  Roufcd,  and  of  a  great 
variety  of  ciTays  oa  the  Miuillerial  fide,  in  the  Eofton  ncwf, 
papers.'* 


3^ 


M*F  I  N  G  A  L. 


CANTO  I. 


Fill'd  every  leaf  of  every  paper, 

Of  Mills,  and  Hicks,  and  Mother  Draper  j 

Drew  proclamations,  works  of  toil. 

In  true  fubllme,  of  fcarecrow  ftyle  ;  ' 

Wrote  farces  too,  'gainft  Sons  of  Freedom, 

All  for  your  good,  and  none  wonld  read  'em  j 

D^nounc'd  damnation  on  their  frenzy. 

Who  died  in  Whig  impenitency  ;  -- 

Affirm'd  that  Heaven  would  lend  us  aid^  /  , 

As  all  our  Tory  vvriters  faid  ;       / 

And  calculated  fo  its  kindnefs. 

He  told  the  moment  when  it  join'd  us.** 

"'Twas  then  belike,"  Honorius  cried,, 
"  When  you  the  public  fait  defied, 
Refus'd  to  Heav'n  to  raife  a  prayer, 
}3ecaufe  you'd  no  connexions  there  : 
And  fince,  with  rev'rend  hearts  and  faces,, 
To  Governors  you'd  made  addrelfes, 
In  them  who  made  you  Tories  feeing 
You  liv'd.  and  mov'd,  and  had  your  belng,^ 
Your  humble  v'ows  you  would  not  breathe 
To  pow'rs  you'd  no  acquaintance  with." 

"  As  for  your  fafts,"  replied  our  'Squire,,- 
**  What  circumftance  could  faftk  require  ?.      ^' 
We  kept  them  not,  but  'twas  no  crime  ; 
We  held  them  merely  lofs  of  time  ;        . 


CANTO  I. 


M*F  I  N  G  A  L. 


3^ 


For  what  advantage  firm  and  lafting, 

Prayi  did  you  ever  get  by  fading  ? 

And  what  the  gains  that  can  arife 

From  vows  and  offerings  to  the  fkies  ? 

Will  Heav'n  reward  vnih  pofts  and  fces^ 

•Or  fend  us  Tea,  as  Confignees,* 

Give  penfions,  fal'rles,  placed,  bribes, 

Or  choofe  us  judges,  clerks,,  or  fcribes  ?  ^ 

Has  it  commiflions  in  its  gift. 

Or  cafii  to  lerve  us  at  a  lift  ?   , . 

Are  a&s  of  Parliament  there  made, 

To  carry  on  the  Placeman's  trade  ?       ^  r  ' 

Or  has  it  pafs'd  a  iingle  bill 

To  let  us  plunder  whom  we  will  I 

And  loo];  our  lift  of  Placemen  all  over  ; 

Did  Heav'n  appoint  our  chief  judge  Oliver, 

Fill  that  high  bench  with  ignoramuG  ;     '    - 

Or  has  its  councils  by  mandamus  ?  ^ 

Who  made  that  wit  of  •)•  water-gruel, 

A  Judge  of  Admiralty,  Sev\'all  ?  ^ 

And  were  they  not  mere  earthly  ftrugglcs. 

That  raised  up  Murray,  fay,  -and  Rugglcs  ? 

*  Alluding  to  the  famous  cargo  of  tea,  which  was  funk  ia 
i3ofton  Harbour,  ths  Confignees  of  which  were  the  tools  of 
Cenwal  Gage. 

^  "  A  proper  emblem  of  his  genius." 


32 


M^F  I  N  G  A  L. 


CANTO  r. 


Did  Heav*n  fend  down,  our  pains  to  med'cine, 
That  old  fimplicity  of  Edfon  ; 
Or  by  eledtion  pick  out  from  us, 
That  Marftifield  blund'rer,  Nat.  Ray  Thomas  ? 
Or  had  it  any  hand  in  ferving 
A  Loring,  Pepp'rell,  Browne,  or  Er\ring  ? 
"  Yet  we've  fome  faints,  the  very  things 
We'll  put  againft  the  bed  you'll  bring  :    .     ., 

For,  can  the  ftrongeft  fancy  paint  '^ ,. 

Than  Hutchinfon  a  greater  faint  ?  '; 

Was  there  a  parfon  us'd  to  pray       ;,    *4  ,  ,  ,,f  . 

At  times  more  reg'lar — twice  a  day — 

As  folks  exaft  have  dinners  got. 

Whether  they  've  appetites  or  not  ? 

Was  there  a  zealot  more  alarming         *  • 

'Gainft  public  vice  to  hold  forth  fermon,  , 

Or  fixM  at  church,  whofe  inward  motion 

RoU'd  up  his  eyes  wi:h  more  devotion  I 

What  Puritan  could  ever  pray 

In  godlier  tone  than  Treas'rer  *  Gray, 

Or  at  town-meetings  fpeechify'ng,  ./ 

Could  utter  more  melodious  whine. 

And  fhut  his  eyes  and  vent  his  moan,   ^  . 

Like  owl  afflicted  in  the  fun  ? 


*  "  Treafurer  of  Maffachuietts  Bay,  and  cmc  of  the  Man- 
^damus  Council.'*  "'^i^  .  ^:  .'■■'.  ".*J  %,  ' ..  , 


33 


CANTO  I.  .  M^  F  I  N  O  A  L0 

WhO|  once  fent  home,  his  canting  rival> 
Lord  Dartmouth's  felf  might  out-be-drivcl." 

"  Have  you  forgot,"  Honorius  cried, 
<<  How  your  prime  faint  the  truth  defied,* 
Affirmed  he  never  wrote  a  line, 
Your  chartered  rights  to  undermine ; 
When  his  own  letters  then  were  by,       >i    • 
That  prov'd  his  me^ag«  all  a  lie  ?  :  '  *  . 

How  many  promifes  he  feaPd  :, 

To  get  the  oppreffive  afts  repealed ;         r"   ; 
Yet,  once  arriv'd  on  England's  fhore, 
Set  on  the  Premier  to  pafs  more  ?       -i  .^  ~  - 
But  thefe  are  no  defers,  we  grant,    ■  ,4  >  j-/ 
In  a  right  loyal  Tory  faint, 
Whofe  godlike  virtues  muft  with  eafc       n. f^ 
Atone  fuch  venal  crimes  as  thefe  :  ^ 
Or  ye  perhaps  in  Scripture  fpy 
A  new  Commandment,  "  Thou  (halt  lie  ;" 
And  if 't  be  fo,  (as  who  can  tell  ?)  .  { 

There's  no  one,  fure,  ye  keep  fo  well."  •  , 

Quoth  he,  "  For  lies  and  promife-breaking 
Ye  need  not  be  in  fuch  a  taking  ;       ;'-■*- 
For  lying  is,  we  know  and  teach,        ^  .  j.  |. 
The  highell  privilege  of  ipeech  ; 


*  The  detcdlon  of  falfehood  in  Gevcmor  HutcTiinfon,  here 
•alluded  to,  k  a  curioui  little  hiftory.  It  is  told  at  large  m  tlu 
J^mtmbrofuer,  publifhed  by  Alnion,  vol.  I. 


*l^ 


34 


M*F  I  N  G  A  L. 


CANTO  I. 


The  univcrfal  Magna  Charta,  «'  t    >      .    ' 

To  which  all  human  race  is  party  ;  ;    . 

Whence  children  firft,  as  David  fays,  *    • 

Lay  claim  to 't  in  their  carlieft  days  $       -  <  - 
The  only  (Iratagem  in  war  ,  it 

Our  Gen'rals  have  occaAon  for ,;  -> 

Tne  only  freedom  of  the  prefs  ^ 

Our  politicians  need  in  peace  :  -'i 

And  'tis  a  ihame  you  wiih  t'  abridge  u« 
Of  thefe  our  darling  privileges. 
Thank  Heav'n,  your  fhot  have  mifs'd  their  aim^ 
For  lying  is.no  fin,  or  fhame. 

**  As  men  laft  wills  may  change  again, 
Though  drawn  in  name  of  God,  Amen ,; 
Befure  they  muft  have  much  the  .Tiore, 
O'er  promifcs  as  great  a  pow'r, 
Which,  made  in  hafte,  with  fmall  infpef^ion. 
So  much  the  more  will  need  corre<Stion  ; 
And  when  they've  carelefs  fpoke,  or  penn'd  'em^ 
Have  right  to  look  'em  o'er  and  mend  'em .; 
Revife  their  vows,  or  change  the  tex^. 
By  way  of  codicil  annex'd,    -  -*■-  ?•• 
Turn  out  a  promife  that  was  bafc, 
And  put  a  better  in  its  place. 

So;Gage  of  late  agreed,  you  know^  , 

To  Jkt  the  Boftqn  people  go  ^  ,,     ,  . 


.>?tv-vf 


1»- 


Mi^^g;^ 


.ji*»ari3i»».i:*'ni-',.  ■..'.*-'i--'U  ■ 


CANTO  I. 


M^  F  I  N  O  A  L. 


35 


Yet  when  he  faw,  'gainft  troops  that  brav'd  him, 
They  were  the  only  guards  that  fav*d  him, 
Kept  off  that  Satan  of  a  Putnam,* 
From  breaking  in  to  maul  and  mutt'n  him  : 
He*d  too  much  wit  fuch  leagues  t'  obfcrvc. 
And  (hut  them  in  again  to  (larve. 

"  So  Mofes  writes,  when  female  Jews 
Made  oaths  and  vows  unfit  for  ufe,  ♦>  £ 

Their  parents  then  might  iet  them  free       ;;'  ^ } 
From  that  confc'entious  tyranny  : 
And  ihall  men  feel  that  fpir'tual  bondage 
For  ever,  wlien  they  grow  beyond  age  ; 
Nor  have  pow*r  their  own  oaths  to  change  I 
1  think  the  tale  were  very  (Irange.  --  ^ 

Shall  vows  but  bind  the  ftout  and  ftrong. 
And  let  go  women  weak  and  young,      .  ^,j 
As  nets  incloie  the  larger  crew,    -   Mfc..,^  |||g 
And  let  the  fmaller  fry  creep  through  ? 
Befides,  the  Whigs  have  all  been  fet  on,. 
TheTories  to  affright  and  threaten,    ,  ,     ^ 
Tin  Gage,  amidft  his  trembling  fits. 
Has  hardly  kept  him  in  his  wits  j,  4  .^    *  >r.r'f 

*  Gen::ral  Putnam  of  ConnecSlicut,  who  had'  gained  great 
reputution,  as  a  Partifan  officer,  in  the  war  before  iall,  came 
forward  with  adivity  in  the  beginning  of  the  war  of  inde- 
pendence ;  but  hijj  ago  and  infirmities  obliged  him  foon  to 
(juit  the  field.  ■  o 


-J 


^.i 


M^F  I  N  O  A  L« 


CANTO  U 


3  ■* 


( 


36 

And  though  he  fpeak  with  art  and  fineile^ 
'Tis  faid  beneath  durefs  per  minaj* 
For  we're  in  peril  of  our  fouls 
From  feathers,  tar,  and  lib*rty-polcs  ? 
And  vows  extorted  are  not  binding 
In  law,  and  fo  not  worth  the  roinding^r 
For  we  have  in  this  hurly-burly 
Sent  off  our  confciences  on  furlough ; 
Thrown  our  religion  o'er  in  form. 
Our  fliip  to  lighten  in  the  ftorm. 
Nor  need  we  blulh  your  Whigs  beforci 
If  weVe  no  virtue,  you've  no  more. 

**  Yet,  black  with  fms,  would  (lain  a  mitre^ 
Rail  ye  at  crimes  by  ten  tints  whiter  I 
And,  fluff M  with  choler  atrabilious, 
Infult  us  here  for  peccadilloes  ? 
"While  all  your  vices  run  fa-high 
That  mtrcy  fcarce  could  find  fupply  : 
While,  Ihould  you  offer  to  repent, 
You'd  need  more  fading  days  than  Lent, 
More  groans  than  haunted  church-yard  valleys 
And  more  confeffions  than  broad-alleys.* 
I'll  Hiow  you  all  at  fitter  time, 
Th'  extent  and  greatnefs  of  your  crime^ 


•  ^'Uluding  to  cliurch  difcIpHDe)  where  a  perfoB  u  obliged 
to  fta'.d  in  the  aiflc  of  the  church,  called  tlic  broad  alley,  name 
the  offence  of  which  he  has  been  g,nilty,  and  afk  pardon  of  hit 

ketliFciu 


\ 


CANTO  I. 


M^F  I  N  O  A  L» 


And  here  dcmonftrate  to  your  face. 
Your  want  of  virtue,  as  of  grace, 
Evinc'd  from  topics  old  and  recent : 
But  thus  much  mud  fuffice  at  prefent.    - 
To  th'  after  portion  of  the  day, 
I  leave  what  more  remains  to  fay  ; 
When  Pve  good  hope  you'll  all  appear. 
More  Beted  and  prepared  to  hear, 
And  griev*d  for  all  your  vile  demeanour ; 
But  now  'tis  time  t'  adjourn  for  dinner/* 


37 


!'■•'(,  'I 


£ND  or  THE    FIRST  CANTO* 


•,■ , 


t '  - 


•.,■!■ 


■>■     .    ' 


»,i,  •  f   <  ^      i., 


"1"'.'  . 


<..  '  »'  >  t-'.wi    '««.■ 


M*F     I     N     G     At. 


CANTO    SECOND. 


The  Town-Meeting,  P.M.. 


X  HE  Sun,  who  never  ftops  to  dine, 
Two  hours  had  pafs*d  the  mid-way  line  ;; 
And,  driving  at  his  ufual  rate, 
Lafli'd  on  his  downward  car  of  ftate  j^ 
And  now  expir'd  the  ihort  vacation, 
And  dinner  done  in  epic  falhion  ; 
While  all  the  crew  be'">eath  the  trees, 
Eat  pocket-pics  or  bread  and  cheelc  ; 
Nor  (hall  we,  like  old  Homer,  care 
To  verfify  the  bill  of  fare. 
For  now  each  party,  feafted  well, 
Th.ong'd  in,  like  fheep,  at  found  of  bcJJ,. 
With  equal  fpirit  look  their  places ;. 
And  meeting  op'd  with  three  O  ycflcs  : 


*?. 


CANTO  II, 


M*F  I  N  G  A  L* 


.39 


When  firft  the  daring  Whigs  t'  oppofe. 
Again  the  great  M*Fingal  rofe, 
.Stretch'd  magifterial  arm  amain,  '    if 

And  thivs  aflumM  th'  accufing  ftrain.     '  '^ 

"  Ye  Whigs,  attend,  and  hear,  affrighted, 
The  crimes  whereof  ye  ftand  indifted  ;    .        * 
The  fins  and  follies  paft  alLcompafs,  *  ^  '    v - 
That  pj-ove  you  guilty,  or  mn ^compos*      '^      '- 
I  leave  the  verdi<5l  to  your  ienfes,  -  r    ' 

And  Jury  of  your  confciences;  '  '" 

Which,  though  they're  neither  good  nor  true;, 
Muft  yetconvidt  you  and  your  crew. 
Ungrateful  fons  !  a  fadious  band. 
That  rife  again  ft  your  parent  land  ! 
Ye  viper  race,  that  burftdn  ftrife,        ^  « at  r 
The  welcome  womb  that  .gave  you  life. 
Tear  with  Iharp  fangs,  and  forked  tongue, 
Th*  indulgent  bowels,  whence  you  fprung^ 
And  fcorn  the  debt  of  obligation. 
You  juftly  owe  the  Britifli  nation,  -  ■  . 

Which  fince  you  cannot  .pay,  your  crew 
Affecft  to  fwear  'twas  never  due. 

"  Did  not  the  deeds  of  England's  Primate* 
Firft  drive  your  fathers  to  this  climate, 


;J 


%c 


**■*  ^.  1*. 


•  The  pcrfecutlons  of  the  EngUfli  Church  under  Ardh- 
biihop  Laud,  arc  well  fciiown  to  have  been  the  caufe  of  ^hc 
peopiwi^  of  New-England. 


% 


40 


M^F  I  N  O  A  L. 


CANTO  II* 


Whom  jails,  and  fines,  and  cv'ry  ill       " 
Forced  to  their  good  againft  their  will  ? 
Ye  owe  to  their  obliging  temper 
The  peopling  your  new-fangled  empire, 
While  every  Britiih  ad  and  canon 
Stood  forth,  your  caufajine  qua  mn* 
Did  they  not  fend  you  charters  o'er, 
And  give  you  lands  you  own'd  before, 

III 

Permit  you  all  to  fpill  your  blood. 
And  drive  out  heathen  where  you  could  ; 
On  tliefe  mild  terms,  that,  conqueft  won. 
The  realm  you  gained  fliould  be  their  own  I 
Or  when  of  late,  attacked  by  thofe, 
Whom  her  connexion  made  your  foes,* 
Did  they  not  then,  diftrefl;  in  war, 
Send  Gen*rals  to  your  help  from  far, 
Whole  aid  you  own*d  in  terms  lefs  haughty, 
And  thankfully  overpaid  your  quota? 
Say,  at  what  period  did  they  grudge 
To  fend  you  Governor  or  Judge, 

*  The  war  of  1775,  between  the  Englifli  and  the  French, 
was  doubtlefs  excited  by  circumftances  foreign  to  the  intercfts 
•of  the  colonies  -which  now  form  the  United  States.  The  col- 
onies, however,  paid  more  than  their  proportion  of  the  ex- 
penfe,  and  the  balance  was  repaid  by  the  Britiih  government, 
afti^"  th«  war. 


.,^-., 


...  \-  .' 


CANTO  II, 


mVfino  AL. 


41 


'-'i  -^ 


\  .■•'k'*' 


With  all  their  miffionary  crew,* 
To  teach  you  law  and  gofpel  too  ? 
Brought  o'er  all  felons  in  the  nation, 
To  help  you  on  in  pOf)ulation, 
Proposed  their  Bilhops  to  furrcnder, 
And  made  their  Priefts  a  legal  tender,  .6 
Who  only  afk'd,  in  furplice  clad,         , 
The  fimple  tytlie  of  all  you  had  :  I 

And  now  to  keep  all  knaves  in  awe,     r- ; 
Have  fent  their  troops  t'  eftablifti  law,     ■' 
And  with  gunpowder,  fire,  and  ball,  > 
Reform  your  people  one  and  all. 
Yet,  when  their  infolence  and  pride    ' 
Have  anger*d  all  the  world  belide. 
When  fear  and  want  at  once  invade, 
Can  you  refufe  to  lend  them  aid  ; 
And  rather  rifque  your  heads  in  fight. 
Than  gratefully  throw  in  your  mite  ? 
Can  they  for  debts  make  iatisfadion,  -^v    f 

Sliould  they  difpofe  their  realm  by  auction  ;     ' 
And  fell  off  Britain's  goods  and  land  all 
To  France  and  Spain  by  inch  of  candle  ? 
Shall  good  king  George,  with  want  oppreft, 
Infei  t  his  name  in  bankrupt  lift, 

*  The  Miflionarics  were  clergymen, ordained  by  the  Bifhdp 
of  London,  and  fettled  in  America.  Thofe  in  the  Northern 
Colonics  were  generally  attached  to  the  Royal  caufe* 


■fz. 


fv 


>:-<^  Ji 


m 


42 


M^F  IN  G  A  L. 


CANTO  n» 


And  fhut  nplliop,  like  failmg  merchant, 
That  fears  the  bailiffs  fliould  make  fearch  in*t  I 
With  poverty  fhall  princes  ftrive, 
And  nobles  lack  whereon  to  live  ?  ' 

Have  they  not  rack'd  their  whole  inventions, 
To  feed  their  brats  on  pofts  and  penfions,  * 
Made  e'en  Scotch  friends  with  taxes  groan. 
And  pick'd  poor  Ireland  to  the  bone  ; 
Yet  have  on  hand,  as  well  deferving. 
Ten  tlioufand  baftards  left  for  ftarving  ? 
And  can  you  now,  with  confcience  clear, 
Refufe  them  an  afylum  here? 
Or  not  maintain,  in  manner  fitting, 
Thefe  genuine  fons  of  Mother  Britain  ? 
T'  evade  tliefe  crimes  of  blacked  grain. 
You  prate  of  Liberty  in  vain. 
And  ftrive  to  hide  your  vile  defigns, 
terms  abftrufe,  like  fchool-divines. 
Your  boafted  patriotifm  is  fcarce, 
Your  country's  love  is  but  a  farce  ; 
And  after  all  the  proofs  you  bring, 
We  Tories  know  there's  no  fuch  thing  j 
Our  Englifli  writers  of  great  fame 
Prove  public  virtue  but  a  name. 
Hath  not  *  Dalrymple  ihow'd  in  print,      .^    ^^ 
And  *  Johnfon  too,  there's  nothing  In't  't 


tt 


:f. 


♦  "  Mintftenal  Penfioners.** 


CANTO  II.  M*  F  I  N  O  A  L. 


43 


■  >•  ■  I- 


r^V 


Froduc'd  you  demonftration  ample, 
Iroxn  others'  and  their  own  example. 
That  felf  is  ftill,  in  either  fa<aion, 
The  only  principle  of  adion  ; 
The  loadftone,  whofe  attrafting  tether 
Keeps  the  politic  world  together : 
And,  fpite  of  all  your  double-dealing, 
We  Tories  know  'tis  fo,  by  feeling. 

"  Who  heeds  your  babbling  of  tranfmitting 
Freedom  to  brats  of  your  begetting. 
Or  will  proceed  as  though  there  were  a  tie. 
Or  obligation  to  pofterity  ? 
We  get  *em,  bear  'em,  breed  and  nurfe ; 
What  has  poft'rity  done  for  us,     «  <,     ;^ 
That  we,  left  they  their  rights  ihould  lofe. 
Should  truft  our  necks  to  gripe  of  noofe  ? 

"  j^nd  who  believes  you  will  not  run  I 
You're  cowards,  every  mother's  fon  ;.  w 

And  fhould  you  offer  to  deny, 
We've  witnefles  to  prove  it  by. 
Attend  th'  opinion  firft,  as  fcferee,     *  ' 
Of  your  old  Gen'ral,  ftout  Sir  Jeffery, 
Who  fwore  that  with  five  thoufand  foot 
He'd  rout  you  all,  and,  in  purfuit,  j 

Run  through  the  land  as  eafily,        /:.,;. 
As  camel  through  a  needle's  eye.      •  <^;  - 
Did  not  the  valiant  Colonel  Grant 
Againft  your  courage  make  his  flant,> 


44 


M*  F  I  N  G  A  L*  CANTO  11. 


CAN' 


,.j  -,^ 


i       ii' 


Aflirm  your  unlverfal  failure 

In  ev^ry  principle  of  valour. 

And  fwear  no  fcamp'rcrs  e*er  could  match  yoit;. 

So  fwlft,  a  bullet  fcarce  could  catch  you  ?       .    ' 

A 

And  will  ye  not  confefs  in  this^  ^ 

A  judge  moft  competent  ht  i^,     ■  'i    /  ; 
Well  ikilPd  on  runnings  to  dedidcj     i'  -  ' 
As  what  himfelf  has  often  tried  ? 
'Twould  not,  methinks,  be  labour  lofty  - 
If  you'd  lit  down  and  count  the  coft  ;      ' 
And  ere  you  call  your  Yankies  out, 
Firft  think  what  work  you've  fet  abouU 
Have  ye  not  rous'd,  his  force  to  try  on,» 
That  grim  old  beaft,  the  Brit'Oi  Lion  I  '  ' 
And  know  you  not  that  at  a  fup 
He's  large  enough  to  eat  you  up  ? 
Have  you  furvey'd  his  jaws  beneath,. 
Drawl  inventories  of  his  teeth, : 
Or  have  you  weigh'd  in  even  balance 
His  flrength  and  magnitude  of  talons  ?' 
His  roar  would  turn  your  boafts  to  fear^ 
As  eaiily  as  four  fmall-beer, 
And  make  your  feet  from  dreadful  fray^ 
By  native  inftlnd-,  run  aw.iy,     ^'' 
Britain,  depend  on't,  will  take  on  her      * 
T*  alfert  her  dignity  and  honour. 
And  ere  Ihc'd  lofe  yciir  fliare  of  pelf, 
Dcftroy  your  country,,  and  herfelf. 


*  fj 


r.i  ■  ■  ' 


CANTO  lU 


M^P  IN  G  A  U 


45 


:i  vA 


...-i" 


For  has  not  North  declared  they  fight 

To  gain  fubftantial  rev'nue  by't, 

Denied  he*d  evfcr  deign  to  treat,   '  ' 

'Till  on  your  knees,  and  at  his  feet  ? 

And  feel  you  not  a  trifling  ague, 

From  Van's  Delenda  eft  Carthago  r*       «  -  ■  ' 

For  this,  now  Britain  has  come  to't;  *  s  ,' 

Think  you  Ihe  has  not  means  to  do't  ? 

Has  Ine  not  fet  to  work  all  engines  • 

To  fpirit  up  the  native  Indians,  '      >  -^      ■ 

Send  on  your  backs  a  favage  band,      '  •     ^     '•  ;    i 

With  each  a  hatchet  in  his  hand,    '     -  '  >-  ; . 

T*  amufe  themlelves  with  fcalping-knives,       t-  '  ^^ 

And  butcher  children  and  your  wives  ;         :     :"; ;;  ^ 

That  (he  may  boad  again  with  vanity,  "  ■ 

Her  Englifli  national  humanity  ?  iiij 

( For  now,  in  its  primeval  lenle,  ^M| 

This  term,  ^w;//^/;'/^,  comprehends 

AH  things  of  which,  on  this  fide  hell. 

The  human  mind  is  capable  ; 

And  thus  *tis  well,  by  writers  fage. 

Applied  to  Britain  and  to  Gage.) 

And  on  this  work  to  raife  allies 

»She  fent  her  duplicate  of  Guys,  ;     *  *^ 

To  drive  at  difF'rent  p-.irts  at  once  on, 

Her  flout  Guy  Carleton  and  Guy  Johnfon  %     , 

*  Alluding,  as  is  fuppofed,  to  a  fpeech  in  the  Britilh  Par- 
liament, in  which  "  Delenda  eft  Carthago"  was  applied  to 
America. 


46 


M*F  I  N  O  AL. 


CANTO  lU 


ifi,' 


Tb  each  of  whom*  to  fend  again  ye,       .'  . 
Old  Guy  of  Warwick  were  a  ninny  ; 
Though  the  dun  cow  he  fell'd  in  war, 
Thefe  kill-cows  are  his  betters  far.  .     ^ 

**  And  has  (he  not  ailky'd  her  notes,   > 
To  roiife  your  flaves  to  cut  your  throats. 
Sent  o'er  ambaffadors  with  guineas,  . 
To  bribe  your  blacks  in  Carolinas  ? 
And  has  not  Gage,  her  mifllonary. 
Turned  many  an  Afric  flave  t'  a  Tory, 
And  made  th*  Amer*can  Bi (hop's  fee  grow^ 
By  many  a  new-converted  Negro  ?    - 
As  friends,  to  gov'mment  did  not  he 
Their  flaves  at  Bofton  late  fet  free  I 
Eulift  them  all  in  black  parade,. 
Set  off  with  regimental  i:ed  ? 
And  were  they  not  accounted  then    ; 
Among  his  very  braved  men  ? 
And  when  fiich  means  flie  ftoops  to  take„  .      ^ 
Think  YOU  ilie  Is  not  uide  awake  I 
As  Eliphaz'  good  man  in  Job,,      .  ^^  a 

Own'd  numVous  allies  through  the  globe  ; 
Had  brought  the  *ilones  along  the  flrect     ...j  • 
To  ratify  a  covenant  meet,  .^ 

*  The  Hones  and  all  the  elements  with  thee       •    -    ■ 
Shall  rutify  a  ftrid  confied'racy ; 
'Wild  beafls  their  lavage  temper  fliall  forget, 
And  for  a  firm  alliance  with  thee  treat. 

Blackmore's  Paraphrase.  OF  Job; 


CANTO  II. 


M*F  1  N  G  A  L. 


47 


And  ev'ry  bcaft,  from  lice  to  lions, 

To  join  in  league  of  ftriip-  ^.lliance  : 

Has  fhe  not  cring'd,  in  fpite  of  pride, 

For  like  affiftance,  far  and  wide  ?  ■'■^ 

Wasihere  a  creature  fo  defpisM,      *  ■  ^  ' 

Its  aid  ihc  has  not  fought  and  priz'd  ?       •    ' 

Till  all  this  formidable  league  rofe 

Of  Indians,  Britilh  troops,  and  Negroes : 

And  can  you  break  thefe  triple  bands, 

By  all  your  workmanihip  of  hands  ?" 

"  Sir,"  quoth  Honorius,  "  we  prefume,,    ' 
You  guefs  from  pa  ft  feats,  what's  to  come  ; 
And  from  the  mighty  deeds  of  Gage, 
Poretel  how  fierce  the  war  he'll  wage.     ^  '  -^ 
You,  doubtlefs^  recolle<2ed  here  *  /^ 

The  annals  of  his  firft  great  year  ;    '  -*  '**'^  > 
While,  wearying  out  the  Tories'  patience, 
Re  fpent  his  breath  in  proclamations  ; 
While  all  his  mighty  noife  and  vapour    '''  *" 
Was  us'd  in  wrangling  upon  paper  ;  " 

And  beaded  military  fits  '    *■   ' 

Clos'd  in  the  ftraining  of  his  wits ;    ' 
While  troops  in  Bofton  commons  plac'd 
Laid  nought  but  quires  of  paper  wafte  ; 
While  ftrokes  alternate  ftunn'd  the  nation, 
Proteft,  addrefs,  and  proclamation  ; 
And  fpeech  met  fpeech,  fib  clafh'd  with  fib. 
And  G',}^e  PdW  anfwer'd,  fquib  for  fquib. 


Un's*,!^  it 


3» 


48 


lyi'T  I  K  G  A  L, 


PANTO  II. 


"  Though  this  not  all  his  time  was  loft  on  ; 
He  fortify'd  the  town  of  Bofton  ;  ,        ■ 

Built  breaft-works  that  might  lend  aflldauce       ,    ; 
To  keep  the  patriots  at  a  diftance  ;  .,  .    f  ••    ; 

(For  howfoe'er  the  rogues  might  feoff,    .,•,■! 
He  likM  them  beft,  the  i^irtheft  off ;) 
Of  mighty  ufe  and  help  to  aid 
His  courage  when  he  felt  afraid  ;  , 

And  whence  right  off,  in  manful  ilation, 
He*d  boldly  pop  his  proclamation. 
Our  hearts  muft  in  our  bofoms  freeze  • 

At  fuch  heroic  deeds  as  thefe." 

"  Vain,"  quoth  our  'Squire,  "  you'll  find  to  fneer 
At  Gage's  firft  triumphant  year  ; 
For  Providence,  difpos'd  to  teaze  us, 
Can  ufe  what  inftruments  it  pleafes. 
To  pay  a  tax,  at  Peter's  wilh,  .  ' 

His  chief  calhier  was  once  a  Fldi ; 
An  Afs,  in  Balaam's  fad  difaller, 
Tum'd  orator,  and  fav*d  his  mafter  ;  < 

A  Goofe,  plac'd  fentry  on  his  Ration, 
Preferv'd  old  Rome  from  defolation  ; 
An  Englifti  bi(hop*s  *  Cur  of  late  - 

Difclos'd  rebellions  'gainft  the  State  ; 
So  Frogs  croak'd  Pharaoh  to  repentance. 
And  Lice  reversed  the  threat'ning  fentence : 
And  Heav'n  can  ruin  you  at  pleafure. 
By  oar  icorn'd  Gage,  as  well  as  Ceiar.  ,. 

*  "  Sec  Bifiiop  Auerbury\  trial."  .  ' 


CANTO  II. 


M*  F  I  N  O  A  L. 


49 


Yet  did  our  hero  in  thefe  days 
Pick  up  fome  laurel  wreaths  of  praifc. 
And  as  the  flatuary  of  Seville  ' 

Made  his  crack'd  faint  an  excellent  devil  $ 
So  though  our  war  few  triumphs  brings, 
We  gain*d  great  fame  in  other  things.      , 
Did  not  our  troops  fhow  much  difcerning, 
And  fkill,  your  various  arts  in  learning  ? 
Outwent  they  not  each  native  noodle 
By  far,  in  playing  Yankey-Doodle  ?* 
Which,  as  'twas  your  New-England  tune, 
'TvvHS  marvellous  they  took  fo  foon  : 
And  ere  the  year  was  fully  through,    ^^ 
Did  iioi  they  learn  to  foot  it  too — 
And  fuch  a  dance  as  ne'er  was  known, 
For  twenty  miles  on  end  led  down  l-f 
Was  there  a  Yankey  trick  you  knew, 
They  did  not  play  as  well  as  you  ?  '  "    ^ 

*  Yankkt-Doodle,  as  M'Fingal  here  relates,  was  a  na- 
tive Air  of  New-England,  and  was  of.cn  played  in  derlilon 
by  the  Britiih  troops,  particularly  on  tV»cir  march  to  Lexing- 
ton. Afterwards  the  captive  army  of  Burgoyne  was  obliged 
to  march  to  this  tune  in  the  ceremony  of  piling  their  arms, 
at  Saratoga.  In  the  tourfe  of  the  war.  It  became  a  favourite 
air  of  Liberty,  like  the  pxefent  Ca  Ira  of  France.  It  is  re- 
iT-.arkable,  that  after  the  taking  of  the  BaftlUe,  and  before  the 
introdudion  of  Ca  Ira,  the  Paris  guards  played  Yankey» 
Boodle. 

f  This  is  Lard  Percy's  modern  Chcvy-chace  ;  in  which  his 
ilordfhip  and  his  army  were  diaced  from  Conc^ird  to  BoHou. 

%0   I  ■!)•  t^i '-■•■.' 


♦•  •''. 


-/ 


50 


M*F  1  N  O  A  L. 


CANTO  II. 


Did  tlicy  not  lay  their  heads  together, 

And  gain  your  art  to  tar  and  feather. 

When  Cornel  Nefl)itt  through  the  town 

In  triumph  bore  the  country-clown  ?  '    ^ 

Oh,  what  a  glorious  work  to  fing 

The  veteran  troops  of  Britain's  king. 

AdventVing  for  th*  heroic  laurel, 

With  bag  of  feathers  and  tar-barrel ! 

To  paint  the  cart  where  culprits  ride, 

And  Nelbitt  marching  at  its  fide,* 

*  In  the  winter  of  1774  and  1775,  the,  Britifli  army  4iad 
been  ftimulated  by  their  officers  and  the  Toric»,  to  an  ardent 
ddire  to  fee  hoftiiities  commence.  But  the  inftigators,  wifh- 
ing  the  Americans  to  be  the  aggreffors,  .ufcd  the  following 
ftratagem  to  complete  their  purpofe. 

On  the  firft  of  May^  I775'»  the  king-s  flandard  was  to  be 
creAed  at'Worccfter,.fifty  miles  from  Boftow,when  Lieutenant 
Colonel  Nelbitt  immortalized  himfelf  by  executing  this  plan 
to  promote  the  quarrel,  and  give  the  army  an  opportunity  of 
their  defired  4-evengc. 

A  foldicr,  according  to  his  diredlions,  fold  an  old  rufty  muf> 
ket  to  a  countryman  for  three  dollars,  who  brought  vegetables 
to  market.  This  could  be  no  crime  in  the  market-man,  who 
hal  an  undoubted  right  to  purchafe,and  bear  arms.  He  was, 
notwithftanding,  immediately  feized  by  Nefbitt,  and  conveyed 
to  the  guard-houfe,  where  he  was  conftned  all  night.  Early 
the  next  morning  they  "ftriiiped  him  naked,  covered  him  with 
warm  tar,  and  then  with  feathers,  and  condufted  him  to  the 
north  end  of  the  town,  then  to  the  fouth  end,  and  as  far  a& 
Liberty-Tree,  where  they  difmifled  the  man,  through  fear  of 
the  people,  (who  by  this  time  had  colle<5led  in  Urge  numbers,^ 
and  made  a  retreat  to  their  barracks.  The 


CANTO  II. 


M*F  I  N  G  A  L. 


5» 


Great  executioner  and  proud» 
Like  hangman  high  en  Holborn  road  ■,    '    ' 
And  o*er  the  bright  triumphal  car 
The  waving  enfigns  of  the  war ! 
As  when  a  triumph  Rome  decreed', 
For  great  Calig'la's  valiant  deed. 
Who  had  fubdu'd  the  Britilh  feas, 
By  gathering  cockles  from  their  bafe  ; 
In  pompous  car  the  conqu'ror  bore       • 
His  captiv'd  fcallops  from  the  fhore,  ' 

Ovations  gained  his  crabs  for  fetching, 
And  mighty  feats  of  oyfter-catching  : 
0*er  Yankies  thus  the  war  begun. 
They  tarr*d  and  triumphed  over  one  ; 
And  fought  and  boafted  through  the  feafon. 
With  might  as  great,  and  equal  reafon. 

"  Yet  thus  though  fkilPd  in  vi<fl*ry  toils> 
They  boaft,  not  unexpert  in  wiles. 
For  gain*d  they  not  an  equal  fame  in 
The  art  of  fecrecy  and  fcheming  ; 
In  (Iratagems  fliowM  mighty  force^ 
And  modernii'd  the  Trojan  hcrfe  ;. 


The  party  confided  of  about  thirty  grenadiers  o£  the  47th 
regiment  with  fixed  bayonets,  20  drums  and  fifes  playing  the 
rogue's  marcb,  headed  by  Nefbitt,  with  a  drawn  fvvord. 

The  magiftratcs  of  the  town  waited  on  General  Gage  with* 
a  complaint  of  this  outrage ;  he  pretended  difapprobution  ;  but 
took  110  ileps  to  cenfure  the  condu«5l  of  Nefbitt)  or  to  do  |uili(|e 
to  the  niaa  who  had  fulfered  the  violence.  ^ 


).*■ 


5^ 


M*F  I  N  G  AL. 


CANTO  lU 


PlayM  o'er  again  thofe  tricks  UlyiTcan         ' 
In  their  fam'd  Salem- expedition  ?       ^      - 
For  as  that  horfe,  the  poets  tell  ye. 
Bore  Grecian  armies  in  his  belly  ; 
Till,  their  full  reckoning  run,  with  joy 
Their  Sinon  midwiPd  them  in  Troy  ; 
So  in  one  fliip  was  Leflie  bold  --    . 

Cramm*d  with  three  hundred  men  in  hold^ 
Equipped  for  enterprife  and  fail. 
Like  Jonas  ftow'd  in  womb  of  whale. 
To'  Marblehead,  in  depth  of  night. 
The  cautious  veflel  wing'd  her  flight* 
And  now  the  fabbath's  filent  day 
Caird  all  your  Yankies  off  to  pray  ;        - 
RemovM  each  prying  jealous  neighbour. 
The  fcheme  and  veilel  fell  in  labour  ; 
Forth  from  its  hollow  womb  pour'd  haft'I/ 
The  Myrmidons  of  CbPnel  Leflie  : 
Not  thicker  o'er  the  blackened  fl;rand 
The  *  Frogs*  detachment  ruih'd  to  land, 
Equipp'd  by  onfet  or  furprife  -  r , 

To  florm  the  entrenchment  of  the  Mice» 
Through  Salem  flraight  without  deluy, 
The  bold  battalion  took  its  way, 
March'd  o*er  a  bridge  in  open  fight 
Of  fev'ral  Yankies  arm'd  for  fight. 
Then  without  lofs  of  time,  or  men, 
Vcer*d/ound  for  Bofton  back  again  ; 

•  "  See  Homer's  Battle  of  the  Frogs  c;nd  Mice." 


{( 


CANTO  II* 


M*F  I  N  G  A  L. 


53 


■^ftf  '\ 


4 


i'K' 


n^i^ 


And  found  Co  well  their  projefts  thrive^ 
That  ev*ry  foul  got  home  alive. 

«  Thus  Gage's  arms  did  fortune  blefs 
With  triumph,  fafety,  and  fuccefs  ;  ^>'  ; ; 
But  mercy  is,  without  difpute,     ,'»    >-    * 
Hi.s  firfl  and  darling  attribute ; 
So  great,  it  far  outwent  and  conquered 
His  military  fkill  at  Concord.       >  ^        v 
There,  when  the  v;ar  he  chofe  to  wage,. 
Shone  the  benevolence  of  Gage  : 
Sent  troops  to  that  ill-omen'd  place 
On  errands  mere  of  fpecial  grace. 
And  all  the  work  he  chofe  them  for 
Was  to  f  prevent  a  civil  war  :     •      ' 
And  for  that  purpofe  he  proje<5led 
The  only  certain  way  t'  eiFedt  it,  '' 

To  take  your  powder,  ftores,  and  armi. 
And  all  your  means  of  doing  harms  : 
As  prudent  folks  take  knives  away, 
Ld\  children  cut  themfelves  at  play. 
And  yet,  though  this  was  all  his  fcheme, 
This  war  you  ftill  will  charge  on  him  ;       -«    ♦ 
And  though  he  oft  has  fwore,  and  faid  it, 
Stick  clofe  to  fin5ls,  and  give  no  credit. 
Think  you,  he  wifti'd  you'd  brave  and  beard  him  I 
Why,  'twas  the  very  thing  that  fcar'd  him. 
He'd  rather  you  fhould  all  have  run,       - 
Than  (laid  to  fire  a  fingle  gun.  '   *;^ 

t  See  Gage's  anfwer  to  Governor  Trumbull. 


^U 


54 


M'F  I  N  G  AL. 


CANTO  II. 


And  for  the  civil  war  you  lament, 
Faith,  you  yourfelves  muft  take  the  blame  rn't  t. 
For  had  you  then,  as  he  intended, 
Giv'n  up  your  arms,  it  muft  have  ended. 
Since  that's  no  war,  each  mortal  knows^ 
Where  one  ilde  only  gives  the  blows. 
And  th'  other  bears  'em  ;  on  refle<5tion, 
The  moft  you'll  call  it,  is  corredion. 
Nor  could  the  conteft  have  gone  higher^ 
If  you  had  ne'er  return'd  the  fire  ; 
But  when  you  ihot,  and  not  before, 
It  then  commenc'd  a  civil  war. 
Elfe  Gage,  to  end  this  controverfy. 
Had  but  cofred:ed  you  in  mercy  ; 
Whom  mother  Britain,  old  and  wife,. 
Sent  o'er  the  col'nies  to  chaftife  ; 
Command  obedience  on  their  peril 
Of  Minifterial  whip  and  ferule  ; 
And  fmce  they  ne'er  coUld.  come  of  age,. 
Govern'd  and  tutor'd  them  by  Gage- 
Still  more,,that  this  was  all  their  errand,. 
The  army's  condiidl  makes  apprirent. 
,  What  though  at  Lexington  you  can  fay 
They  kill'd  a  few  they  did  not  fancy, 
-^lAt  Concord  then,  with  manful  popping, 
|[)ifcharg'd  a  round,  the  ball  to  open  ;       -     - 
jt  when  they  faw,  your  rebel-rout 
)^termin'd  ftill  to  hold  it  out, 
Did  they  not  ihow  their  love  to  peace. 
And  wilh,  that  difcord  ftraight  might  ceafe— 


'*x^  '<; 


^tK 


CANTO  II. 


M*  F  I  N  G  A  L. 


J5 


Demonftrate,  and  by  proofs  uncommon, 

Their  orders  were,  to  injure  no  man  ? 

For  did  not  ev'ry  Reg'lar  run,* 

As  foon  as  e'er  you  fir'd  a  gun  ? 

Take  the  firft  (hot  you  fent  them  greeting. 

As  meant  their  fignal  for  retreating— 

And  fearful  if  they  ftaid  to  fpott. 

You  might  by  accident  be  hurt,  • 

Convey  themfelves  with  fpeed  away    ,  ''  . 

J'uU  twenty  miles  in  half  a  day —  ' 

Race  till  their  legs  were  grown  fo  weary,    ' 

'/*  ^y'd  fcarce  fufiice  their  weight  to  carry  ? 

.  ^^liuce  Gage  extols,  from  gen'ral  hearfay^ 

The  f  great  a(5livHy  of  Lord  Percy, 

Whole  brave  example  led  them  on, 

And  fpirited  the  troops  to  run  ; 

And  now  may  boaft,  at  royal  levees,  *•    * 

A  Yankey  chace  worth  ;fbrty  Cherys. 

Yet  you,  as  vile  as  they  were  kind,  ,      ^      ■ 

Purfued,  like  tigers,  dill  behind ;  v      u 

Fir'd  on  them  at  your  will,  and  ftiut    .  i    .:;    . 

The  town,  as  though  you*d  ftarve  them  out-: 

*  In  the  ancient  wars  in  America,  the  term  Regular  was 
•jippiied  to  Britifli  troops,  to  diftinguifli  them  from  the  Pro- 
vincials, or  new  levies  of  the  country.    At  the  coaimcnce- 
-ment  of  the  late  war,  the  fanic  terms  ofdiftinAion  .were  ufecl. 

f  "  Too  much  praife  cannt^t  be  given  to  Lord  Percy,  fw: 
his  remarkable  activity  through  the  whole  day."  "     ;'  % 

.Gj^;''j  Jlccount  of  Lexiigtoa  JSatik. 


r    ■  ,. ,, 


#• 


56 


M*F  I  N  G  A  L, 


CANTO  n. 


'if 


■\*"4 


And  with  parade  prepoft'rous  *  hedg'd, 
Affe<5t  to  hold  them  there  befieg'd ; 
(Though  Gage,  whom  proclamations  call 
Your  Governor  and  Vice-Admiral,     j^ 
Whofe  pow'r  gubernatorial  ftill  ^  .?  ■•. 

Extends  as  £ir  as  Bunker's  Hill —      . ,  ^i 
Whofe  admiralty  reaches  clever, 
Near  half  a  mile/ up  Myftic  river, 
Whofe  naval  force  commands  the  feas,  -■  . 
Can  run  away  whene'er  he  pleafe) 
Scared  troops  of  tories  into  town, 
And  burnt  tlieir  hay  and  houfes  down, 
And  menaced  Gage,  unlefs  he'd  flee, 
To  drive  him  headlong  to  the  fea  | 
As  once,  to  faithlefs  Jews  a  fign, 
The  dc'el,  turn'd  hog-reeve,  did  the  fwine* 

"  But  now  your  triumphs  all  are  o'er, 
For  fee,  from  Britain's  angry  Ihore, 
With  mighty  hofts  of  valour,  join    ^ 
Her  Howe,  her  Clinton,  and  Burgoyne. 
As  comets  throngh  th'  affrighted  Ikies 
Pour  baleful  ruin,  as  they  rife  ; 
As  ^tna,  with  infernal  roar, 
'*J[p  conflagration  fweeps  the  fliore  ; 

'•"***  And  with  a  prepoll:erou5  parade  of   military  arrangc- 
antfnt,  they  alL*j£5l  to  held  the  army  bcficgcd."  ^' 

i  ?»■  ;^  ;  Cage* s  laji  grand  ProiilumalisU' 


^' 


X,;....  ., 


jcanto  II. 


M*F  ING  AL. 


57- 


Or  as  *  Abijah  White,  when  fent 

Our  Marflifield  friends  to  reprefent, 

Himfelf  while  dread  array  involves, 

CoRimiflions,  piftols,  /words,  refolves, 

In  awful  pomp  defcending  down, 

jBore  terror  on  the  faftious  town ; 

Not  with  lefsglorjr  and  aflFright, 

Parade  thefe  Generals  forth  to  fight. 

No  niore  each  Reglar  Col'nelf  runs    'r-- 

From  whizzing  beetles,  as  air-guns, 

Thinks  horn-bugs  bullets — or,  through  fears, 

Mufkitoes  takes  for  mufqueteers  ; 

Nor  'fcapes,  as  though  you'd  gain'd  allies 

From  Beelzebub's  whole  hoft  of  flies. 

No  bug  their  warlike  hearts  appals,  .,..,,  - 

They  better  know  the  found  of  balls.?,^  jj^^  ^* 

I  hear  the  din  of  battle  bray,  t*  r 

The  trump  of  horror  marks  its  way. 

*  "  He  was  a  reprcfentative  of  Marfhfield,  and  employed  to 
•carry  their  famous  town-refolves  to  Bofton.  He  armed  him- 
ifclf  in  a  ridiculous  military  array,  as  another  Hvdibras,  pre- 
iiending  he  was  afraif^  he  ibould  be  robbed  of  them."  ^ 

t  "  This  was  a  fa<a.  Some  Britifli  officers,  foon  after  Gage*t 
arrival  at  Bodon,  walkrag  on  Beacon-Hill,  after  funfet,  wo| 
affilghted  by  noffes  In  the  air  (fuppofed  to  be  the  flying 
bugs  and  beetles)  which  they  took  to  be  the  found  of  bullets^ 
-And  left  the  hill  with  great  precipitation.     Concerning  which  ^  * 
they  wrote  terrible  accounts  to  England  of  their  being  (hot  atjij" 
■with  air-guns  ;  as  appears  by  one  or  two  letters,  extrad*  fi^orit 
"Which  were  publiihed  in  the  EngliU*  papers. 


uv 


58  M'FINGAL.  canto  II. 

I  fee  af^r  the  iack  of  cities,  /.  *  j^c  ¥^ 

The  gallows  ftrung  with  Whig-Committees ; 
Your  Moderators  tric'd  like  vermin, 
And  gate-pofts  grac'd  with  heads  of  Chairmen 
Your  Generals  for  wavc-off'rings  hanging, 
And  ladders  thronged  with  Pricfts  haranguing. 
What  pilPries  glad  the  Tories'  eyes  -' 

With  Patriot-ears  for  facrifice  ! 
What  whipping-pofts  your  chofen  race 
Admit  fuccedive  in  embrace,  ' 

While  each  bears  oiT  his  crimes,  alack ! 
Like  Bunyan's  pilgrim,  on  his  back  ! 
Where  then,  when  Tories  fcarce  get  cleat;,      - 
Shall  Whigs  and  Gongrefles  appear  ? 
What  rocks  and  mountains  (hall  you  call       >' 
To  wrap  you  over  with  their  fall, 
.  And  fave  your  heads,  in  thefe  fad  weathers. 
From  fire  and  fword,  and  tar  and  feather*  I 
For  lo,  with  Britiih  troops,  tar-bright. 
Again  our  Nefbitt^  heaves  in  fight ! 
He  .comes,  he  comes,  your  lines  to  ftorm. 
And  rig  your  troops  in  uniform  ! 
To^ meet  fuch  heroes,  will  ye  brag,  •*      •' 

ti  fury  arm'd  and  feather-bag .;  ,  .^ 

10  wield  their  miffile  pitch  and  tar,         ,     ,^4. 
With  engines  new  in  Britifh  war  ?  .4  ,i^j 

'f'iiiO,  where  our  mighty  navy  bring-s 
rdion  on  her  canvas  wings  ;      *' 

'^fiile  through  the  deeps  her  potest  thunder 


CANTO  It. 


M*^  ING  A  L. 


59 


Shall  found  th*  alarm  to  rob  and  plunder  ! 

As  Phoebus  firft,  (fo  Homer  fpeaks,) 

When  he  march'd  out  t'  attack  the  Greeks, 

'Galnft  mules  fent  forth  his  arrows  fatal, 

And  (lew  th*  aur'liaries,  their  cattle  ; 

So  where  c    ■  Im      (hall  ftretch  t.  ^    wcel, 

What  conquered  oxen  Ihall  they  fteal !    • 

What  heroes,  rifing  from  the  deep, 

Invade  your  marlhalPd  hofts  of  Iheep  '. 

Difperfc  whole  troOps  of  horfe,  arid,  prefimg,- 

Make  cows  furrender  at  difcretion  j      ,     , 

Attack  your  hens,  like  Alexanders, 

And  reg'itients  rout  of  geefe  and  ganders  ; 

Gr,  wherri.  united  arms  combine, 

Lead  captive  many  a  herd  of  fwine  ! 

Then  ruih  in  dreadful  fury  down  '     , 

To  fire  on  ev*ry  fea-port  town  ; 

Diiplay  their  glory  and  their  wits, 

Fright  unarm'd  children  into  fits. 

And  ftoutly  from  th'  unequal  fray' 

Mai<:^  many  a  woman  run  away  \ 

4r        And  can  ye  doubt,  whene'er  we  pleafe,« 
Gur  chiefs  (hall  boaft  fuch  deeds  as  thefc  ? 
Have  we  not  chiefs,-  tranfoending  fir 
The  old  fdm'd'^/\//Wt'r^{?///  ofivar;      ''  " 
Beyond  the  brave  romantic  fighters,    '^'° 
^VjV  iS.  fxiiords  of  death  by  novel-writers  ?•'  .^ 
Nor  in  romancing  ages  e'er  rofe 
So  terribie  a  tier  cf  Jieroes;^   f 


Vi 


«'*•  4-. ; 


in.' 


'*. 


,ii<r^ 


6o 


M*F  1  N  G  A  L* 


CANTO  II. 


"/-. 


■ir 


'o' 


.1: 


i\ 


Trom  GAge,  what  flaftics  fright  the  waves  I 

How  loud  a  blunderbufs  is  Graves  !* 

How  Newport  dreads  the  bluft'ring  Tallies, 

That  thunder  from  our  pop-gun,  Wallace  !* 

While  noife,  in  formidable  ftrains, 

Spuuts  from  his  thimblc-fuU  of  brains  I 

I  fee  you  fmk  with  awM  ftirprife  I 

1  fee  our  Tory-brethren  rife  I  ,     ,,,      „  ;  , 

And  as  the  fedl'ries  Sandemanian,+  . 

Our  friends,  defcribe  their  wifh*d  Millennium  j 

Tell  hov/  the  world,  in  ev'ry  region 

At  once,  (hall  own  their  true  religion  ; 

For  Heuv'n,  with  plagues  of  awful  dread,. 

Shall  knock  all  heretics  o'er  the  head  ; 

And  then  their  church,  the  meek  in  fpirit, 

The  earth,  as  promised,  (hall  inherit. 

From  the' dead  wicked,  as  heirs-male,  ' 

And  next  remainder-men  in  tail  :. 

Such  ruin  (hall  the  Whigs  opprefs  ! 

Such  fpoils  our  Tory  friends  (hall  blefs  I  , 

While  confifcation  at  command 

Shall  ftalk  in  horror  through  the  land. 

Shall  give  your  Whig  eftates  away,  j|r  ^    •       . 

And  call  our  brethren  in  to  play.  ^  u 

♦  A(]miral  Graves  and  Captain  Wallace  lay  before  the  towt 
of  Newport  a  long  time,  and  by  their  «  deeds  above  heroic,'* 
merited  all  the  praifes  that  the  difcerning  M'Fingal  has  here 
beftowed  upon.  them.  ,       \ 

f  The  religious  fed  of  Sandemanians  have  fingular  ideas  of 
the  Millennium.  Their  poli[t;cal  religion  during  the  Rev<Jlu» 
tion  was  Toryifln.  I 


« 


t 


■♦ 


CANTO  II. 


M'F  I  N  G  A  !*• 


6i 


"  Ana  can  ye  doubt  or  fcruple  xnoret 
Thefe  things  are  near  you  at  the  door  ? 
Behold  !    for  though  to  reasoning  blind» 
Signs  of  the  times  ye  fure  might  mind». 
And  view  impending  fate  as  plain 
As  yc*d  foretel  a  (how'r  of  rain* 

"  Hath  not  Heav'n  warn'd  you  what  muH  enfiie^ 
And  Providence  declared  againft  you  ;. 
Hung  forth  its  dire  portents  of  war. 
By  *  figns  and  beacons  iu  the  air  ;, 
Alurm'd  old  women,  all  around,.        ,   -j?  :- 
By  fearful  noifes  under  ground  ;  :  ^      ." 

While  earth,  for  many  dozen  leagu-es, 
Gro.in'd  with  her  difmal  load  of  Whigs  ? 
Was  there  a  meteor  far  and  wide      l-    ;'  .i 
But  mufter*d  on  the  Tory- fide  ? 
A  ftar,  malign,  that  lias  not  Mbnt  r        . 

Its  afpe<5t  for  the  Parliament,  i   ,-.\  ' 

Foreboding  your  deieat  and  mifery  ;     ,    t  ' 
As  once  they  fought  againft  old  Sifera  ?         'f 
W^as  there  a  cloud  that  fpread  the  fliies,       .   ? 
But  bore  our  armies  of  allies  ?  ,  ^5 

While  dreadful  hofts  of  fire  ftood  forth   ; ;,  .  . 
Mid  baleful  glimm'rings  from  the  North  ;f 

*  "  Such  flcries  of  prodigies  were  at  that  time  induftrioufly 
propagated  among  the  Tory  party  in  various  parts  of  New*£n- 
gland,  to  terrify  and  intimidate  the  fuperAitious." 

t  It  is  fald  to  be  a  fadl,  that  in  America,  about  the  com- 
mencement of  the  war,  the  aurora  horealis  appeared  more  fre- 
quently than  ufual,  and  affumed  more  finguhir  appearances. 


6i 


M*E  I  N  G  A  L. 


CANTO  II. 


Which  plainly  (hews  which  part  they  join'd,. 

For  North's  the  miniller,  ye  mind  ;         ';* 

Whence  oft  your  quibbiers  in  gazettes 

On  Northern  hlajis  have  drained  their  wits;; 

And  think  ye  not  the  clouds  know  how 

To  make  the  pun  as  well  as  you  ? 

Did  there  ariie  an  apparition, 

But  grinn'd  forth  ruin  to  fedition  ? 

A  death  watch,  but  has  jpinM  our  leagues,, 

And  cliek-'d  deftruftion  to  the  Whigs  ? 

Heard  ye  not,  when  the  wind  was  fair,. 

At  night,  our  orators  in  the  air. 

That,  loud  as  admiralty-libel,  ' 

Read  awful  chapters  from  the  bible,, 

And  death  and  deviltry  denouncM, 

And  told  you,. how  you'd  foon  be  trounc'd:?' 

I  fee,  to  join  our  conqti'ring  fide,    I  .      ' 

Heav'ri,  earth,  and  hell,  at  once  ally'd  f 

See  from  your  overthrow  and  endj 

The  Tories*  paradife  afcend  ; 

Like  that  new  world  tliat  claims  its  ftation 

Beyond  the  final  conflagration  !  '     ' 

I  fee  the  day,  that  lots  your  fhare 

In  utter  darkneis  and  defpair  ; 

The  day  of  joy,  when  North,  our  Lord,, 

His  faithful  fervants  ihall  reward  !      v 

No  Tory  then  (liall  fet  before  him  ^  * 

Small  wilh  of 'Squire,  or  Jullir^:  Quorum  ;. 

But, 'fore  his  unmiftaken  ever. 


\-.  " 


CANTO  II. 


M*F  I  N  O  AL, 


Ai 


See  Lorddiips,  pofts  and;pennons  rife. 

Awake  to  gladnefs,  then,  ye  Tories, 

Th*  unbounded  profpeft  lies  before  us : 

The  pow'r  dtfplay'd  in  Gage's  banners, 

Shall  cut  American  lands  to  manors, 

And  o*er  our  happy,  conquered  ground 

J)ifpenfe  eftates  and  titles  round. 

Behold  the  world  will  ftare  at  new  fets 

Of  home-made  *  earls,  in  Maflfachufctts  4         >: 

Admire,  array'd  in  ducal  taflels,       «  »      ^  ^ 

Your  OlVers,  Hutchinfons  and  VafFals  ; 

See,  joined  in  minifterial  work. 

His  grace  of  Albany  and  York  i 

What  Lordfhips  from  each  carv'd  eftate,        n 

On  our  New- York  aflembly  wait !     • 

What  titled  f  Jauncys,  Oalcs  and  Billops  ; 

Lord  Brufli,  Lord  Wilkins,  and  Lord  Phillips  4 

In  wide-ileev*d  pomp  cf  godly  guiffi,        ' 

What  folcmn  rows  of  Biftiqps  rife  1  , 

Aloft  a  Cardinal's  hat  is  fpread 

O'er  punfter  J  Cooper's  rev'rend  head  ! 

In  Vardell,  that  poetic  zealot,  '  - 

I  view  a  lawn-bedizen'd  prelate !  '     *    ■ 

*  Sec  Hutchinfon*8  and  Oliver's  letters! 

t  Members  of  the  minifterial  majority  in  the  New-York  af- 
"fcmbly  ;  Wilkins,  a  noted  writer. 

t  Prefident  Cooper,  a  notorious  punfter :  Vardell,  author 
of  fome  poetical  fatires  on  the  fons  of  liberty  in  New  York,  and 
royal  profeffor  in  King's  college ;  Chandler  and  Auchmuty, 
ii;^h-cljurch  and  Tory-writers  of  the  clerical  order. 


54 


M*  F  I  N  G  A  L. 


CANTO  II. 


While  mitres  fall,  as  'tis  their  dutf,  '  • 

On  heads  of  Chandler  and  Auchmuty  !       • 
Knights,  vifcounts,  baroni,  (hall  ye  meet, 
As  thick  as  pavements  in  the  ilreet !     ^  ^  .r 
Ev'n  I,  perhaps,  Heav'n  fpeed  my  claim, 
Shall  fix  a  Sir  before  mv  name.         ;    ,         ' 
For  titles  all  our  foreheads  ache  ; 
For  what  bleft  clianges  can  they  make  i 
Place  rev*rence,  grace,  and  excellence   -^  .   . 
Where  neither  claimed  the  leaft  pretence: 
Transform  by  patent's  magic  words 
Mea,  likeft  devils,  into  Lords  ; 
Whence  commoners,  to  peers  tranilated. 
Are  juftly  £aid  to  be  created! 
Now  where  commiffioners  ye  faw. 
Shall  bcuu-ds  of  nobles  deal  you  law  ! 
Long  rob'd  comptrollers  judge  your  rights. 
And  tide-waiters  flart  up  in  knights  I 
While  Whigs,  fubduM  in  flaviih  awe, 
Our  wood  fhall  hew,  our  water  draw. 
And  blefs  that  mildnefs,  when  paft  hope, 
Which  fav*d  their  necks  from  noofe  of  rope. 
For  as  to  gain  afliftance,  we  ^ 

Defign  their  negroes  to  fet  free  ; 
For  Whigs,  when  we  enough  (hall  bang  'em, 
Perhaps  'tis  better  not  to  hang  'em  ;  .? 

Except  their  chiefs  ;  the  vulgar  knaves 
Will  do  more  good  preferv'd  for  flaves." 


•,». 


)^  ^ . 


n 


CANTO  XI.  M*  F  J  N  C  A  L. 


65 


''■|  -, 


■   0 


"  'Tis  well,"  Hononus  cried,  **  your  fchemc 
Has  painted  out  a  pretty  dream.       ti  . 
We  can't  confute  ypur,fecood  fight  5 
We  (hall  be  flaves  and  you  a  knight :      icfVi^  * . 
Thefc  things  muft  come  :  but, I  diviae    cn*^ 
They'll  come  not  in  your  day,  or  mine. 
But  01  my  friends,  .my  birethren,  Jiear, 
And  turn  for  once  th*  attentive  ear.  |  ^ 

Ye  fee  how  prompt  to  aid  p^r  w<  c$, 
The  tender  mercies  of  our  foes ; 
Yc  fee  with  what  unvaried  rancoi^^  %  n    I'X 

Still  for  our  blood  their  mifiions  hanker,     ,  ^     '"ft 
Nor  ought  can  fate  th^ir  ;inad  ambition:        .  <r. 
From  us,  but  deatli,  or  worfe,  fubmiflion.    ^^7  \^h 
Shall  thefe  then  ript  in  ourfpcil,  (      j  i v-'r 

Reap  the  glad  harveft  of  our  toil. 
Rife  from  their  country's  ruin  proud, 
And  roll  their  chariot- whi^els  in  blood  ? 
And  can  ye  fleep  while  high  outfpre^d 
Hangs  defolation  o'er  ypur  head?  t        ,• 

See  Gage,  with  inaufpiciofis  vi;-,  -.     ■ 

Has  op'd  the  gates  of  civil  war  ;  .    •  --il 

When  ftreams  of  gore  froTi  rfreemen  flain,    .. 
Encrimfon'd  Concord's  fatal  plain  ;  ' 

Whofe  warning  voice,  with  awful  found, 
Still  cries  like  Abel's,  from  the  ground, 
And  Heav'n,  attentive  to  its  call,  f  .*. 

'Shall  doom  the  .proud  oppreffor's  falk       •   ly 

I 


'i.V    * 

■•1    -fn 


■/»■♦■' 


/'V*: 


i> 


;.>■( 


1'^  i 


66 


M*F  I  N  G  AL. 


CANTO  lU 


"  Rife  then,  ere  ruin  fwift  furprife,    ' 
To  vidlory,  to  vengeance  rife  ! 
Hark  !  how  the  diftant  din  alarms  ! 
The  echoing  trumpet  breathes,  To  arms  ! 
From  provinces,  remote  afar. 
The  fons  of  glory  roufe  to  war ; 
*Tis  Freedom  calls ;  th*  enraptur'd  found 
The  Apalachian  hills  rebound  ; 
The  Georgian  fhores  her  voice  fliall  hear, 
And  ftart  from  lethargies  of  fear. 
From  the  parch*d  zone,  with  glowing  ray, 
Where  pours  the  fun  intenfer  day, 
To  Ihores  where  icy  waters  roll, 
And  tremble  to  the  dulky  pole, 
Infpir'd  by  Freedom's  heav'nly  charms, 
United  nations  wake  to  arms. 
The  ftar  of  conqueft  lights  their  way. 
And  guides  their  vengeance  on  their  prey. — 
Yes,  though  tyrannic  force  oppofe. 
Still  fliall  they  triumph  o'er  their  foes, 
Tii'x  Heav'n  the  happy  land  fliall  blefs, 
With  fafety,  liberty,  and  peace. 

"  And  ye,  whofe  fouls  of  daftard  mould. 
Start  at  the  brav'ry  of  the  bold  ; 
To  love  your  country  who  pretend. 
Yet  want  all  fpirit  to  defend  ;  . 

Who  feel  your  fancies  fo  prolific, 
Engendering  vifionM  whims  terrific. 


CANTO  II. 


M*  F  I  N  G  A  L. 


67 


** -o    - 


0*er-run  with  horrors  o£  coercion,  v   v . 

Fire,  blood,  and  thunder  in  reverfion, 

King's  (landards,  pill'ries,  conHfcations, 

And  Gage's  fcare-crow  poclaxnations. 

With  all  the  tnimpery  of  fear  $ 

Hear  bullets  whizzing  in  your  rear  ;        |  '*:*si 

Who  fcarce  could  roufe,  if  caught  in  fray,  :  0^ 

Prefence  of  mind  to  run  away  ; 

See  nought  but  halters  rife  to  view 

In  all  your  dreams  (and  dreams  are  true  ;) 

And  while  thefe  phantoms  haunt  your  brains. 

Bow  down  the  willing  neck  to  chains. 

Heat'ns  !  are  ye  fons  of  fires  fo  great. 

Immortal  in  the  fields  of  fate. 

Who  brav'd  all  deaths  by  land  or  fca. 

Who  bled,  who  conquered,  to  be  free  ! 

Hence  !  coward  fouls,  the  word  difgrace 

Of  our  forefathers'  valiant  race  ; 

Hie  homeward  from  the  glorious  field  ;    ; 

There  turn  the  wheel,  the  diftaff  wield ; 

A<51  what  ye  are,  nor  dare  to  ftain 

The  warrior's  arms  with  touch  profane  : 

There  beg  your  more  heroic  wives  .    ^ 

To  guard  your  children  and  your  lives  j 

Beneath  their  aprons  find  a  fcreen,  .  . 

Nor  dare  to  mingle  more  with  men.".     ' 

As  thus  he  faid,  tlxe  Tories'  anger        :     ^  . 
Could  now  reftrain  itfclf  no  longer. 


68 


M*F  I  N  G  A  t. 


CANTO  II, 


.V     ..'i.U 


iii;  Vr 


i>,. 


Who  tried  before  by  many  a  freak,  or  nt, 

Infulting  noife,  to  ftoji  the  fpfeakefr  ;         '^'     '  i 

Swung  th'  unoil'd  hingd  of  eaeh  pe^;^-dbor  ;.    ^ 

Their  feet  kept  fliuffliiig  on  th^  fldot : 

Made  their  difapprobation  kh6\vn    - 

By  many  a  murmur,  hum,  and  groan, 

That  to  his  fpdech  fupplied'  the  placd'  ' '-'''  '"' 

Of  counterpart  in  thorough-bkfs  :  ,  ;    tj 

As  bag-pipes,  while  the  tuiie  they  breathe,, 

Still  drone  and  grumble  underneath  ; 

Or  as  the  fam'd  Demofthenej;       '* 

Harangu'd  the  rumbling  of  the  fcas,  - 

Held  forth,  with  eloquence  full  graved  *** 

To  audience  loud  of  wind  and  waVe  ? 

And  had  a  ftiller  congregration  - 

Than  Tories  are,  to  hear  th'  oralron. 

But  now  the  ftorm  grew  high  and  louder,. 

As  nearer  thund'rings  of  a  cloud  are, 

And  ev'ry  foul,  with  heart  and  voice, 

Supplied  his  ^uota  of  the  noife  $ 

Each  lift'ning  ear  was  fet  on  tortirre, 

Each  Tory  bellowing  out,  To  order : 

And  fome,  with  tongue  not  low  or  weak, 

Were    clam'ring   faft,  for  leave  to  fpeak  ;  .- 

The  moderator,  with  great  violence,  V'  }r 

The  cuftiion  thump'd,  with  "  Silence  !  filence  !" 

The  conftable  to  ev'ry  prater        •  '*   '     -'•    ^^i-i.^^ 

Bawl'd  out,  "  Pray  hear  the  moderator  ;"  '-'-^y  ^- 


■■»" « 


ar/' 


caWto  II. 


M' F  I  N  6  Ai:*'*^ 


69 


9r 


'im 


Some  callM  the  vote,  and  ftme,  irt  tiirtf,- 

Were  fcreaming  high,  **  A<ljOUrti^  adjouhi. 

Not  chaos  heard  fuch  jart  and  claflies  ,    ' 

When  all  the  ePments  fought  for  places;  *''V'^^  ^^^H 

Each  bludgeon  foon  foi^  blows  was  tirti'd  ;^'  ^^  *^ 

Each-fift  flood  ready  cock'd  ahd  prirti'd;    l''^^'^^*^  * 

The  ftorm  each  moment  louder  grtW  5    -  '^>v''     '^ 

His  fword  the  great  M'Fingal  driew^     :    «i  j <>  ? 

Prepared  in  either  chance  to  Ihare,  r^     ''  hv     .  bu 

To  keep  the  peace,  or  aid  the  war.:  *'*  *  '  '^  '  •*  ^'* 

Nor  lack'd  they  each  poetic  being,  '  »?  iH\i>.'-'a  si^l 

Whom  bards  alone  arc  fkilPd  in  fedirig  ;  '  *■  '^:^^ 

Plum*4Vi<5tory  flood  perch'd  on  high^       *1     I^jv  7  * 

Upon  the  pulpit-canopy,     -'^"^  ^'^^;:j,-^--''  ^■■'::-u-^- 

To  join,  as  is  her  cuilom  tried,     '      *;  '    ^  >  H  ..^a 

Like  Indians,  on  the  ftrongeft  iidc' ;      -  *'  ^^^if^^'-,- 

The  Deftinies,  with  fhears  and  diftafF, 

Drew  near,  their  threads  of  life  to  twift  off;  * 

The  Furies  ,'gun  to  feaft  on  blows,        , 

And  broken  heads  or  bloody  nofe  ; 

When  on  a  fudden,  from  without, 

Arofe  a  loud  terrific  fhout  ; 

And  ftraight  the  people  all  at  once  heard 

Of  tongues  an  univerfal  concert ; 

Like  iEfop's  times,  as  fable  runs, 

When  ev'ry  creature  talk'd  at  once  5 

Or  like  tlie  variegated  gabble 

That  craz'd  the  carpenters  of  BabeK 


m^ 


fii'^* 


r 


70 


M^FIKO  AL« 


CANTO  Ih 


Each  party  foon  forgot  the  quarrel. 

And  let  the  other  go  on  parole  ; 

Eager  to  know  what  fearful  matter         ^?'< 

Had  conjur*d  up  fuch  general  clatter ; 

And  left  the  church  in  thin  array, 

As  though  it  had  been  le6lure-day. 

Our  'Squire  M*Fingal  ftraightway  beckon'd 

The  conftable  to  ftand  his  fecond,      ,\    . 

And  fallied  forth,  with  afpe<5l  fierce, 

The  crowd  aflembled  to  diiperfe. 

The  moderator,  out  of  view,  , 

Beneath  a  bench  had  lain  perdue  ^ 

Peep'd  up  his  head  to  view  the  fray. 

Beheld  the  wranglers  run  away. 

And,  left  alone,  with  folemn  face, 

Adjourn'd  them  without  time  or  place. 


-■'.-  « 


END  OF  THE    SECOND  CANTO. 


f ' ,  ■• ;  \  >■'• 


",^^?*;» 


rt^--:  '• 


.■/:"  /%,rJ-J' 


■^  '■■J   7i'.t  4( 


,  i   >  ■ 


M  ^  F     I     N     G     A     L. 


CANTO    THIRD. 

The  Liberty-Pole. 


'  ■>■'(• 


f^) 


■'l    f  'rwy'"  "'•      ^f  f'.^''-''^'  '  ■/•'■'      ':"-- 


JN  OW,  arm'd  with  minifterial  ire, 
TkrdS  fallied  forth  our  loyal  'Squire, 
And  on  his  ftriding  fteps  attends 
His  deip'rate  clan  of  Tory  friends ;     "*    '  ' 
When  fudden  met  his  angry  eye,        ^    ^^ 
A  pole  afcending  through  the  iky. 
Which  num'rous  throngs  of  Whiggiih  race 
Were  raifing  in  the  market-place  ; 
Not  higher  fchool-boys*  kites  afptrc,      ' 
Or  royal  maft,  or  country  fpire,      *  ^'      - 
Like  fpears  at  Brobdingnagian  tilting. 
Or  Satan's  walking  ftaff  in  Milton  ; 
And  on  its  top  the  flag,  unfurPd, 
Wav'd  triumph  o'er  the  proftrate  world,    "' 
Infcrib'd  with  inconfiftent  types  v 

Oi  libertjf  and  thirteen  ftripcs. 


vi  va 


•/ 


M*F  I  N  G  AL. 


CANTO  III, 


Beneath,  the  crowd,  without  delay. 
The  dedication-rites  eflay, 
And  gladly  pay,  in  ancient  faihion. 
The  cererptjnies  of  libation  ;  \ 

While  brifkly  to  each  patriot  lip 
Walks  eager  round  th'  infpiring  flip  :* 
Delicious  draught,  whofe  pow'rs  inherit 
The  qulnteiTence  of  publ'w  fpirit ! 
Which  whofo  taftes,  perceives  his,  ynind 
To  nobler  politics  refin'd, 
Or  rous'd  for  martial  controverfy. 
As  from  transforming  cups  of  Circe  ; 
■Or  warm'd  with  Homer's  ne6tar*d  liquor. 
That  fill'd  the  veins  of  gods  with  ichor- 
At  hand,  for  new  fupplies  in  ftore,     i  . 
The  tavern  opes  its  friendly  door,       ,    ^; 
Whence  to  and. fro  the  waiters  run. 
Like  bucket-men,  at  fires  in  town. 
Then  witli  three  fhouts  that  tore  the  fky, 
'Tis  confccrate  to  Libeity  : 
To  guard  it  from  th'  attacks  of  Tories, 
A  grand  committee  cull'd  of  four  is, 
Who,  foremoft  on  the  patriot  fpot. 
Had   bought  the  flip,  and  paid  the  fliot. 
By  this,  M*FingaI,  witli  his  train,    .  - 
Advanced  upon  th'  adjacent  plain, 
And  fierce,  with  royal  rage  poffefs'd. 


^-iMJ^  ""iMWiWi  l»ii  V  ■<»<  <n  -  .'Mr«*1^^»^ 


/■ 


■  H 


7' 


4  '    f  t     -I 


JFlip  is^  Hquar  compofed  of  beer,  rtim  a'nd  Aigar, 


*    *.  ^.  1    »    ,f  » 


*GANTO  III* 


M*  F  I  K  G  A  L. 


73 


PourM  forth  the  zeal  that  fir'd  his  breaft. 
*<*  What  mad-brain'd  rebel  gave  commifllo^i 
To  raife  this  May-pole  of  fedition  ? 
Like  Babel  rcar'd  by  bawling  throngs, 
With  like  confufion,  too,  of  tongues. 
To  point  at  Heav'n,  and  fumixion  down 
The  thunders  of  the  Britiflx  crown  ?      . .  .  , 
Say,  will  this  paltry  pole  fecure        ,    /  ? ,     ! 
Your  forfeit  heads  from  Gage's  pow'r  ? 
Attacked  by  heroes,  brave  and  crafty,  *     ; 

Is  this  to  ftand  your  ark  of  fafety  ?        '  \      ' 
Or,  driv'n  by  Scottifh  laird  and  laddiei    V       ! 
Think  ye  to  reft  beneath  its  ihadow  ? 
When  bombs,  like  fiery  ferpents,  fly. 
And  balls  move  hlffing  through  the  <ky> 
Will  this  vile  pole,  devote  to  freedom, 
Save,  like  the  Jewifti  pole  in  £dom. 
Or,  like  the  brazen  fnake  of  Mofes, 
Cure  your  crackM  fkulls  and  battered  nofes  ? 
Ye  dupes  to  evVy  faf^ious  rogue     ^    "'  *" 
Or  tavern-prating  demagogue,  ^    '• 

Whofe  tongue  but  rings,  with  found  more  fuIU 
On  th'  empty  drumhead  of  his  fkull  ; 
Behold  you  not,  what  noify  fools,  ,  *[ 

Ufc  you,  worfe  fimpletons,  for  tools  ? 
For  Liberty,  in  your  own  by-fenfe, 
Is  but  for  crimes  a  patent}  licenfe  j 

K 


■■*i! 


♦/Vi 


«^'*;-f*«> 


74 


M^FIKG  AL. 


CANTO  UK 


j  'hi 


>'J 


t 


...  1.  4  A  ^ 


tr 


,v 


. . .  J    I 


f «      *#  ••?  '  1         *1r^     ' 


To  break  of  law  th*  Egyptian  yoke, 
And  throw  the  world  in  common  (lock ; 
Reduce  all  grievances  and  ills 
To  Magna  Charta  of  yonr  wills  j 
Eftabliih  cheats,  and  frauds,  and  nonfenfe. 
Framed  by  the  model  of  your  confcier4:c  j    *^ 
Cry  j  uftice  down,  as  out  of  faOiica^  "  ' 

And  fix  its  fcale  of  depreciation  ;* 
Defy  all  creditors  to  trouble  ye,        \l 
And  pafs  new  years  of  Jewifli  jubilee  ; 
Drire  judges  out,  like  Aaron's  calves. 
By  jurifdiAibn  of  white  (laves, 
And  make  the  bar,  and  bench,  and  (leeple^ 
Submit  t*  our  fov'reign  Lord,  the  People ; 
Affure  each  knave  his  whole  aiTetSi 
By  gen'ral  amnefty  of  debts  ; 
By  plunder  rife  to  pow'r  and  glory, 
And  brand  all  property  as  Tory ; 
Expofe  all  wares  to  lawful  feizures        ,i,.  , 
Of  mobbers  and  monopolizers  ;    ^    - 
Break  heads,  and  windows,  and  the  peace, 
For  your  own  int'reft  and  increafe  ; 
Difpute,  and  pray,  and  fight,  and  groan 
For  public  good,  and  mean  your  own  ; 

•  Alluding  to  the  depreciation  of  the  continental  paper 
money.  The  declining  value  of  this  Currency  was  afcertain 
cd  and  declared  by  Congrefs,  in  what  was  called  a  fcale  0/Je' 
prnUitiun,    Scc  more  of  this  fuhjed  in  the  laft  Canto. 


.*L 


•j,j-r^« 


■/i;; 


\:ivr 


\iJ 


,( t  It  r 


€ANTO  III. 


lt*F  INO  AL. 


75 


Prevent  the  laws,  by  fierce  attacks» 
From  quitting  fcores  upon  your  backs  ; 
Lay  your  old  dread,  the  gallows,  low. 
And  feize  the  ftocks,  your  ancient  foe, 
And  turn  them  as  convenient  engines 
To  wreak  your  patriotic  vengeance  ; 
While  all,  your  claims  who  underftand, 
Confefs  tliey're  in  the  owner's  hand  : 
And  when  by  clamours  and  confuHons, 
Your  freedom's  grown  a  public  nuifance, 
Cry,  Liberty f  with  powerful  yearning. 
As  he  does,  Jlre,  whofe  houfe  is  burning, 
Though  he  already  has  much  more, 
Than  he  can  find  occadon  for, 
While  ey*ry  dunce,  that  turns  the  plains. 
Though  bankrupt  in  eftate  and  brains. 
By  this  new  light  transformed  to  traitor, 
Forfakes  his  plough,  to  turn  di<flator. 
Starts  an  haranguing  chief  of  Whigs,    , 
And  drags  you  by  the  ears  like  pigs. 
All  binder  arm'd  with  fa^ious  licenfe. 
Transform^  at  once  to  politicians ; 
Each  leather-apron'd  clown,  grown  wife, 
Prefents  his  forward  face  t'  ad  vile, 
And  tatter'd  legiflators  meet 
From  ev'ry  work-lhop  through  the  ftrect  ; 
His  goofe  the  tailor  finds  new  uie  in,       J^ 
To  patch  -mJ  turn  the  conlUtiuion  j 


,9  •  -vj  '■-■ 


(• 


'jS  M*  F  I  N  O  A  L.  CANTO  tlU 

The  blackfmlth  comes  with  fledge  and  grate,'-'  ^'" 

To  iron-bind  the  wheels  of  ftate  ;  -  r  <"    ? 

The  quack  forbears  his  patient's  foufe,    '  '^"^' <  ''  V 

To  purge  the  Council  and  the  Houfc  ;      ''''-*  ;'''"*' 

The  tinker  quits  his  moulds  and  doxies,      '^^'     '  \ 

To  Ciul  affembly  men  at  proxies. 

From  dunghills  deep  of  fable  hue,      *    - 

Your  dirt-breJ  patriots  fpring  to  view. 

To  wealth  and  powV  and  penfion  rife. 

Like  new  winged  maggots  chang'd  to  flies  % 

And  flutt'ring  round  in  proud  parade. 

Strut  in  the  robe  or  gay  cockade.  '     '"^ 

See  *  Ar — d  quits,  for  ways  more  certain^ 

His  bankrupt  perjuries  for  his  fortune  j 

Brews  rum  no  longer  in  his  (lore. 

Jockey  and  (kipper  now  no  more  ; 

Forfakes  his  warehoufes  and  docks, 

And  writs  of  flander  for  the  pox. 

And,  purg'd  by  patriotifm  from  fhamc; 

Grows  General  of  the  foremoft  name. 


•  **  Ar — d*8  perjuries  at  the  time  of  his  pretended  bank- 
ruptcy, which  was  the  firft  rife  of  his  fortune  ;  and  his  curi- 
©ns  law-fuit  ;in;ainfl  a  brother  ficipper,  who  had  charged  him 
with  having  caught  the  above  mentioned  difcafe,  by  his  con- 
nexion with  a  certain  xVfrican  princefsin  the  Weft-Indies,  with 
its  humorous  ifTue,  arc  matters,  not  I  believe  fo  generally 
known,  as  the  other  circuni fiances  of  his  public  and  private 
charadcr,"  t  '-^       *   .  .  ,,    .      . 


CANTO  III. 


M-FI  N  G  A  L. 


77 


« itlihf 


1   111. 


n.T'i 


I*    •        -I 


yti.alis 


Hiatus,^' 

For  in  this  ferment  of  the  (IreaiDy  ii:.,A\{  ii>ii/ 

The  dregs  have  work'd  up  to  the  brim^ 
And  by  the  rule  of  topfy-turvcys, 
^rhe  fkum  ftands  fwelling  on  the  furface. 
YouVe  causM  your  pyramid  t'  afcend, 
And  fet  it  on  the  little  end  ;  .,^, 

Like  Hudibras,  your  empire's  made» 
V/hofe  crupper  had  o'er-top'd  his  head  ;   ^ 
You've  pufh'd  and  turn'd  the   whole   world  up- 
Side  down,  and  got  yourfclves  a-top  : 
While  all  the  great  ones  of  your  ftate, 
Are  crufii'd  beneath  the  pop'lar  weight ;  .''' 
Nor  can  you  boaft  this  prefent  hour, 
The  fliadow  of  the  form  of  pow'r.  ,  ;h:;; 

For  what's  your  Congrefs,f  or  its  end  \ 
A  power  t'  advife  and  recommend ; 
To  call  for  troops,  adjuft  your  quotas. 
And  yet  no  foul  is  bound  to  notice  ;  ,^ 

*  "  M'Fingal  having  here  infcrted  the  names  and  characters 
of  fcvtral. great  men,  whom  the  public  have  not  yet  fully  de- 
tsded,  it  is  thought  proper  to  omit  fundiy  paragraphs  of  his 
fpeech  :n  the  prefent  edition."    • 

f  The  author  here,  in  a  true  ftrain  of  patriotic  cenfurc,  point- 
ed out  the  principal  defe<5ls  in  the  firft  federal  Conilitution  of 
th  J  United  States  ;  all  which  have  been  fince  removed  in  the 
New  Conftitution,  eftabllfhed  in  the  year  1789.  So  that  the 
prophecy  below,  Toull  nier  bai/efenfe  enough  to  mend  it,  muft 
he  ranked  among  the  other  fagc  blunders  of  his  fecond  lighted 
hero. 


78 


M^FI  N  O  A  L. 


;.N  1*0  111. 


To  pawn  your  faith  to  th'  utmofl  limit» 
But  cannot  bind  you  to  redeem  it, 
And,  when  in  want,  no  more  in  them  lies 
Than  begging  of  your  State-aiTemblies  $ 
Can  utter  oracles  of  dread,     '  '' 
Like  friar  Bacon's  brazen  head  $ 
But  fhould  a  fadtion  e'er  difpute  'em, 
Has  ne'er  an  arm  to  execute  'em.  ► 
As  though  you  chofe  fupremc  dilators. 
And  put  them  under  confervators  ; 
You've  but  purfued  the  felf-fame  way. 
With  Shakcfpcarc's  Trinclo  in  the  play, 
*•  You  fliall  be  viceroys,  here,  'tis  true. 
But  we'll  be  viceroys  over  you."  ' 

What  wild  confufion  hence  muft  enfue. 
Though  common  danger  yet  cements  you  ! 
So  fome  wreck'd  veflel,  all  in  fliatters. 
Is  held  up  by  furrcunding  waters  ; 
But  ftranded,  when  the  preflTare  ceafes, 
Falls  by  its  rottennefs  to  piects  : 
And  fall  it  mud — if  wars  were  ended, 
You'll  ne'er  have  fenfe  enough  to  mend  it  j 
But  creeping  on  with  low  Intrigues, 
Like  vermin  of  an  hundred  legs, 
Will  find  as  ftiort  a  life  aflign'd. 
As  all  things  elfe  of  reptile  kind. 
Your  Commonwealth's  a  common  harlot. 
The  property  of  ev'ry  v^irlet,  , 

Which  now  in  tafte  and  full  employ,  ^ 


CANTO  III. 


M'F  I  K  G  AL. 


79 


i*»  ff. 


.}•■  ■yti 


•J 


■r; 


All  forts  admire,  as  all  enjoy  j 

But  foon,  a  batter'd  ftrumpct  grown, 

You'll  curfc  and  drum  her  out  of  town. 

Such  is  the  goycmmcnt  you  chofe  ; 

For  this  you  bade  the  world  be  foes ; 

For  this,  fo  mark'd  for  difTolution, 

You  fcom  the  Britiih  conditution  ; 

That  conftitution,  foi*m*d  by  fagei, 

The  wonder  of  all  modern  ages :  ':,' 

Which  owns  no  failure  in  reality, 

lixcept  corruption  and  venality  ;    , 

And  only  proves  the  adage  juft,  . .  •  *♦  * 

That  be  ft  things  fpoil'd,  corrupt  to  worft  : 

So  man,  fupreme  in  mortal  ftation,      - 

And  mighty  lord  of  this  creation, 

When  once  his  corfe  is  dead  as  lierring, 

Becomes  the  moft  oBTenfive  carrion. 

And  fooner  breeds  the  plague,  'tis  found* 

Than  all  beafts  rotting  'bove  the  ground. 

Yet  for  this  government,  to  difmay  us,  ' 

You've  call'd  up  Anarchy  from  Chaos, 

With  all  the  followers  of  her  fchool,  • , 

Uproar,  and  Rage,  and  wild  Mifrule  ;     •   ' 

For  whom  this  rout  of  Whigs  di draped .       ^^ 

And  ravings  dire  of  ev'ry  crack'd  head  ; 

Thefe  new-caft  legiflativ*  engines 

Of  country  mufters  and  conventions,  i 

Committees  vile  of  correfpondence,  « 

And  mobs,  whofc  tricks  have  almoft  undonc's ; 


8o 


M'F  I  N  G  A  L. 


CANTO  JII, 


While  reafbn  fails  to  check  your  cowle,       -^ 
And  loyalty's  kick'd  out  of  cjpors. 
And  folly,  like  inyiting  landlord, 
Hoifts  on  your  poles  her  royal  ftandard.     ^ 
While  the  king's  friends,  in  doleful  dumps, 
Have  worn  their  jcoarage  to  the  ftup:ips. 
And  leavir.g  George  in  fad  difafter, 
Moll  fmfuUy  deny'd  their  mafter. 
What  furies  rag'd,  when  you  in  fea. 
In  (hape  of  Indians,  drown 'd  thejea  ;* 
When  your  gay  fparks,  fatigu'd  to  watcji  it, 
Aflum'd  the  moggifon  and  hatchet, 
With  wampumM  blankets  hid  their  laces. 
And,  like  their  fweethcarts,  prim'd  their  faces 
While  not  a  Red-coat  dar*d  oppofe,   ; 
And  fcarce  a  Tory  (how'd  his  nofc  ; 
While  Hutchinfon  for  fure  retreat,  • 

Manceuvred  to  his  country  feat,  :  > 

And  thence  affrighted  in  the  fud«,       ': 
Stole  off  bare-headed  threugh  the  woods ! 
Have  you  not  rousM  your  mobs  to  Join, 
And  make  mandamus-men  refign, 
CalPd  forth  each  duffil-drefs'd  curmudgeon, 
With  dirty  trowfers  and  white  bludgeon,. 
Forc'd  all  our  councils  through  ,the  land  ; 
To  yield  their  necks  to  your  command  ; 
While  palenefs  marks  their  late  difgraces, 

*  The  perfons  who  dcftroyed  the  cargo  of  tea,  above 
red  to,  vrert  difguifcd  in  the  habit  of  Indians.      ""J" 


rcfcr- 


they ; 
land 

t 

i 

mufti 
gencj 
towi 


CANTO  III, 


M'F  IN  G  AL. 


Through  all  their  rueful  length  effaces  ? 

Have  you  not  caus'd  as  woful  work, 

In  loyal  city  of  New- York,* 

When  all  the  rabble,  well  cockaded,      ; 

In  triumph  through  the  ftreets  paraded  ; 

And  mobb'd  the  Tories,  fcar'd  their  fpoufcs. 

And  ranfack'd  all  the  cuftom^oufes  ; 

Made  Aich  a  tumult,  blufter,  jarring, 

That,  mid  the  clafh  of  tempefts  warring, 

Smith's  weathercock,  with  veers  forlorn,"!^  \_ 

Could  hardly  tell  which  way  to  turn  ; 

Burnt  effigies  of  th'  Higher  Powers, 

Contriv'd  in  planetary  hours, 

As  witches,  with  clay  images,  ?  ^ 

Deftroy  or  torture  whom  they  pleafe  : 

Till,  fir'd  with  rage,  th'  ungrateful  club,  i'>    x> 

^par'd  not  your  beft  friend,  Beelzebub,  '        ii| 

O'erlook'd  his  favours,  and  forgot 

The  reverence  due  t*  his  cloven  foot. 

And  in  the  felf-fame  furnace  frying, 

Burn'd  him,  and  North,  and  Bute,  and  Tryon  ?t 

*  There  were  fo  many  influential  Tories  in  New- York,  that 
they  at  firft  obtained  a  vote  in  favour  of  the  Ads  of  Parliament, 
land  againft  the  proceedings  of  the  firft  Congrefs.  ,  ^ 

f  William  Smith,  formerly  a  lawyer  in  New- York.     _^    ^r^. 

i  Tryon,  being  nov/  dead,  is  probably  forgot.  The  reader 
muft  know  that  he  was  governor  of  New- York,  and  a  Britifix 
general  during  the  war.  He  had  the  glory  of  burning  the 
towns  af  Fairfield  and  Norwaik,  aad  of  iffuing  many  prodama- 

Xt  tioQSf 


82 


M*F  I  N  G  A  L. 


CANTO  UK 


Did  you  not  in  as  vile  and  ftiallow  way, 

Fright  our  poor  Philadelphian,  Galloway,*  '■' 

Your  Congrefs  when  the  daring  ribald 

Belied,  berated,  and  befcribbled  ? 

What  ropes  and  halters  did  you  fend. 

Terrific  emblems  of  his  end. 

Till,  left  he'd  hang  in  more  than  effigy, 

Fled  in  a  fog  the  trembling  refugee  ? 

Now  rifing  in  progreffion  fatal. 

Have  you  not  ventur'd  to  give  battle  ? 

When  treafon  chac'd  our  heroes  troubled. 

With  rufty  gun  and  leathern  doublet. 

Turned  all  ftone-walls,  and  groves,  and  buflies, 

To  batt'ries  arm'd  with  blunderbuffes. 

And  with  deep  wounds,  that  fate  portend, 

GalPd  many  a  Reg'lar's  latter  end, 

Drove  them  to  Bofton,  as  in  jail, 

Confin'd  without  main-prize  or  bail. 

Were  not  thefe  deeds  enough  betimes. 

To  heap  the  meafure  of  your  crimes. 

But  in  this  loyal  town  and  dwelling. 

You  raife  thefe  enfigns  of  rebellion  ? 

'Tis  done  ;  fair  Mercy  fliuts  her  door  ; 

And  Vengeance  now  (hall  fleep  no  more  ; 

tions.  The  other  perfonages  that  make  up  this  iettle  of  fj^y 
Bute,  Beelzebub,  and  North,  are  ftill  living,  and  therefore  M'ant 
no  explanation. 

*  Galloway  began  by  being  a  flaming  patriot.  He  h  one 
of  the  few  men,  who  proved  a  traitor  to  hh  country,  wrote 
againfl  it,  and  ran  away. 


CANTO  HI. 


M'F  I  N  G  A  L. 


83 


Rife  then,  my  friends,  in  terror  rife, 
And  wipe  this  fcandal  from  the  Ikies  !  I 

You'll  fee  their  Dagon,  though  well  jointed, 
Will  fink  before  the  Lord's  anointed,  * 

And  like  old  Jericho's  proud  wall,  ^' 

Before  our  ram's  horns  proftrate  fall.*' 

This  faid  our  'Squire,  yet  undifmay'd,,  -• 

Call'd  forth  the  Conftable  to  aid. 
And  bade  him  read  in  nearer  ftation. 
The  riot-act  and  proclamation  ;* 
Who,  now  advancing  tow'rd  the  ring, 

Began,    "  Our  fovereign  Lord  the  King^' —  * 

When  thoufand  clam'rous  tongues  he  hears. 

And  clubs  and  ilones  aifail  his  ears  ; 

To  fly  was  vain,  to  fight  was  idle. 

By  foes  encompafs'd  in  the  middle  5 

In  ftrata^em  his  aid  he  found, 

And  fell  right  craftily  to  gro  iMd  ;  -  ^  ' 

Then  crept  to  feek  an  hiding  place^ 

'Twas  all  he  could,  bene-t'th  a  brace  ; 

Where  loon  the  conqu'nag  crew  eipled  him, 

And  where  he  lurk'd,  they  caught  and  tied  him. 
At  once  wiih  refolution  fatal,  I 

Both  Whigs  and  Tories  rulli'd  to  battle  ; 

Inilead  oF  weapons,  either  band 

*  ReaJ'inv  the  Rht-afi  has  the  fame  miruci)lo:i«  efFet^  in  Ant->r.. 
ica  as  In  Enrjiand  :  it  may  convert  any  collcClioii  of  men  into 
a  /vW,  an<l  is  x.hz  tremendous  prologue  to  any  fragcdj'  that 
m:iy  r-fuit  frc!i;  the  cxcrcifc  cf  Maruxl  Law.. 


84 


M'F  I  N  G  A  L. 


CANTO  III* 


Seiz*d  on  fuch  arms,  as  came  to  hand.         i    ' 

And  as  fam'd  Ovid*  paints  th*  adventures 

Of  wrangling  Lapithae  and  Centaurs, 

Who  at  their  feaft,  by  Bacchus  led, 

Threw  bottles  at  each  otlier's  head, 

And  thefe  arms  failing  in  their  fcuffles, 

Attacked  with  handirons,  tongs,  and  fhovels  s 

80  clubs  and  billets,  ftaves  and  ftoncs 

Met  fierce,  encountering  ever/  fconce, 

And  covered  o*er  with  knobs  and  paina 

Each  void  receptacle  for  brains ; 

Their  clamours  rend  the  hills  around, 

And  earth  rebellows  with  the  found  j 

And  many  a  groan  increased  the  din 

From  broken  nofe  and  b  atter'd  iliin. 

M'Fingal,  rifing  at  the  word. 

Drew  forth  his  old  militia  fword  ; 

Tlirice  cried,  "  King  George,"  as  erft  in  diftrefs 

Romancing  heroes  did  their  miftrefs, 

And,  brandiftiing  the  blade  in  air, 

Struck  terror  through  th*  oppofmg  war. 

The  Whigs,  unfafe  within  the  wind 

Of  fuch  commotion,  fhrunk  behind. 

With  whirling  flecl  around  addrefs'd, 

Fierce  through  their  thickeft  throng  he  prefs*d, 

(Who  roU'd  on  either  ^ide  in  arch. 

Like  Red-fea  waves  ia  Ifraers'march) 

And  like  a  meteor  ruihing  through, 

*"  Ovid's  Metcmorphofcs,  Ecol:  xii." 


CANTO  III. 


M*  F  I  N  O  A  L. 


85 


Struck  on  their  pole  a  vengeful  blow. 
Around,  the  Whigs,  of  clubs  and  (lones 
Difcharg'd  whole  vollies  in  platoons, 
That  o*er  in  whittling  terror  fly  ; 
But  not  a  foe  dares  venture  nigh.      - 
And  now,  perhaps,  with  cjnqueft  crown'd. 
Our  'Squire  had  fell'd  theirpole  to  ground^ 
Had  not  fome  pow*r,  a  Whig  at  heart, 
Defcended  down  and  took  their  part ;  .  *' 

(Whetlier  'twere  Pallas,  Mars,  or  Iris,     '        * 
Tis  fcarce  worth  while  to  make  inquiries,) 
Who  at  the  nick  of  time  alarming,  *  : 

Afrum'd  the  graver  form  of  Chairman  ; 
Addrcfs'd  a  Whig,  in  ev'ry  fcene 
The  ftouteft  wreftler  on  the  green, 
And  pointed  where  the  fpade  was  found, 
Late  us'd  to  fix  the  pole  in  ground. 
And  urg'd  with  equal  arms  and  might 
To  dare  our  'Squire  to  fmgle  fight. f 
Ths  Whig,  thus  arm'd,  untaught  to  yield, 
Advanc'd  tremendous  to  the  field  ; 
Nor  did  M*Fingal  limn  the  foe, 
Bat  Icood  to  brave  the  defpVate  blow  ; 
While  all  the  party  gaz'd,  fufpended, 
To  fee  the  deadly  combat  ended. 

f  "  The  learned  reader  will  readily  obferve  the  allufions  in 
this  fcene  to  the  fingle  combat  of  Paris  and  Menelaus,  in  Ho- 
mer ;  ^neas  and  Turnus  in  Virgil,  and  Michael  and  Satan 
in  Milton." 


86 


M*F  I  N  G  A  L. 


CANTO  III. 


And  Jove  in  equal  balance  weighM 

The  fword  againft  the  brandifli'd  fpade  : 

He  weigh'J  ;  but  lighter  than  a  dream> 

The  fword  flew  up,  and  kickM  the  beam. 

Our  'Squire  on  tiptoe  rifxng  fair, 

Lifts  high  a  noble  ftroke  in  air, 

Which  hung  not,  but  like  dreadful  engines 

Defcended  on  the  foe  in  vengeance. 

But  ah  !   in  danger  with  dl (honour. 

The  fword  perfidious  fails  its  ovv^ner  ; 

That  fword,  which  oft  had  flood  its  ground 

By  huge  train-bands  encompafs'd  round,* 

Or  on  the  bench,  with  blade  right  loyal. 

Had  won  the  day  at  many  a  trial, 

Of  ftones  and  clubs  had  brav'd  th'  alarms^ 

Shrunk  from  thefe  new  Vulcan ian  arms. 

The  fpade  fo  temper'J  from  the  fledge. 

Nor  keen  nor  folid  harm'd  its  edge, 

Now  met  it  from  his  arm  of  might 

Defcending  witli  deep  force  to  fmlte  ; 

The  bliie  f -^ppM  iliort — and  from  his  hand 

With  n-rt  embrown''^  the  glitt'ring  faud. 

Swift  turn'd  M'Fingal  at  the  view, 

And  cail'd  for  aid  th'  attendant  crew. 

In  vain  ;  the  Tories  all  had  run, 

When  fcarce  t!ie  fight  was  well  begun  ; 

Their  fetting  wigs  he  faw  decreas'd, 

Tar  in  th'  horizon  tow'rd  the  v/e(l. 


*  A  iraii7  band  is  a  Cuinaln's  ccnij-;iny  in  the  Milllia, 


CANTO  III. 


M'F  I  N  G  A  L. 


87 


Amaz*d  he  view*d  the  Ihameful  fight,  • 
And  faw  no  refuge  but  in  flight : 
But  age  unwieldy  check'd  his  pace,    ^  • 
Though  fear  had  wing*d  his  flying  race  ; 
For  not  a  trifling  prize  at  ftake  ;  '    ' 

No  lefs  than  great  M'FingaVs  back. 
With  legs  and  arms  he  vvork'd  his  courfe, 
Like  rider  that  outgoes  his  horfe, 
And  laboured  hard  to  get  away,  as 
Old  Satan  *  ftruggling  on  through  Chaos  : 
Till,  looking  back,  he  fpied  in  rear 
The  fpade  arm'd  cliief  advancM  too  near. 
Then  ftopp'd  and  feiz'd  a  ftone  that  lay. 
An  ancient  land-mark  near  the  way  ; 
Nor  fhall  we,  as  old  Bards  have  done. 
Affirm  it  weighM  an  hundred  ton  ; 
But  fuch  a  ftone  as  at  a  Ihift  '      - 

A  modern  might  fuffice  to  lift. 
Since  men,  to  credit  their  enigmas, 
Are  dwindled  down  to  dwarfs  and  pigmies ; 
And  giants,  exiPd  with  their  cronies, 
To  Brobdingnags  and  Patagonies.     , 
But  while  our  hero  turn'd  him  round, 
And  ftoop'd  to  raife  it  from  the  ground, 
The  deadly  fpade  difcharg'd  a  blow      . 
Tremendous  on  his  rear  below  :  ■   , 

His  bent  knee  fliilM,  and,  void  of  ftrength, 
Stretch 'd  on  the  ground  his  manly  length  ; 

*  In  Milton.  ^1|i| 


88 


M*F  I  N  G  AL. 


CANTO  III, 


Like  ancient  oak  o*erturn*d,  he  lay,  v .  . 

Or  tow'rs  to  tempefts  fallen  a  prey,    , .  ^  ^  . 
Aiid  more  things  elfe — but  all  mca  know  'ciDi 
Ififlightly  vers*d  in  epic  poen?.  ., 

At  once  the  crew  at  this  fad  crifis. 
Fall  on  and  bind  him  ere  he  rifes, 
And  with  loud  (houts  and  joyful  foul 
Condudl  him  pris'ner  to  the  pole.  . 

When  now  the  ir.ob  in  lucky  ho  ir,  , 

Had  got  their  enemies  in  their  pow'j. 
They  firft  proceed  by  wife  command, 
To  take  the  Conftable  in  hand  ;  . 

Then  from  the  pole's  fublimefl  top 
They  fpeeded  to  let  down  the  rope, 
At  once  its  oth^r  end  in  halle  bind, 
And  make  k  faft  upon  his  waiitbund, 
Till,  likd  the  earth,  as  ftrttch'd  on  tenter, 
^  He  hung  felf-balanc*d  on  his  centre. 
Then  upwards,  all  hands  hoifting  fail. 
They  fwung  him,  like  a  keg  of  ale, 
Till  to  the  pinnacle  fo  fair, 
He  rofe  like  meteor  in  the  air. 
As  Socrates*  of  old  at  firft  did,  ^ 

To  aid  philofophy,  get  hoifted,      s 
And  found  his  thoughts  flow  ftrangely  clear, 
"Swung  in  a  bafket  in  mid  air  :  . 

*  Socrates  Is  reprcfcnted  in  Ariflophanes's  comedy   of  th* 
clouds,  as  iioifled  in  a  l>a-lket  to  aid  contemplation. 


. ,)  •  '■■•-'^•-»' 


CANTO  III. 


M^#I  N  O  AU 


89 


''Our  culprit  thus  in  purer  (ky, 

'With  like  advantage  rai&'d  his  eye ; 
And  looking  forth  in  profped  wide, 

♦His  Tory  errors  clearly  fpy'd, 

^And  from  his  elevated  ilation^ 

With  bawling  voice  began  addrefling « 

-**  Good  gentlemen,  and  friends,  and  kin. 
For  Heav*n*s  fake  hear,  if  not  for  mine  I 
I  here  renounce  the  Pope,  the  Turks, 
The  King,  the  Devil,'  and  all  their  works ; 
And  will,  fet  me  but  once  at  eafe,  ' 

Turn  Whig  or  Chriftian,  what  you  pleafe  ; 
And  always  mind  your  laws  as  juftly  ; 
Should  I  live  long  as  old  Methus'lah, 
ril  never  join  with  Britifli  rage,  - 

Nor  help  Lord  North,  or  General  Gage, 
Nor  lift  my  gun  in  future  fights,  ^    ^ 

Nor  take  away  your  chartered  rights  ; 
Nor  overcome  your  new-rais'd  levies,       * 
Deftroy  your  towns,  nor  burr*  your  navies  ; 
Nor  cut  your  poles  down  while  Pvc  breath. 
Though  rais'd  more  thick  than  hatchel-teeth : 
But  leave  King  George  and  all  his  elves 
To  do  their  conquering  work  themfelves." 

This  faid,  they  low'rM  him  down  in  ftatv 
Spread  at  all  points,  like  falling  cat ;        r 
But  took  a  vote  firft  on  the  queftion,  '    '^ 
That  they'd  accept  this  full  confeffioi^ 

M 


'■it 


^t  v# 


.  i 


go 


M^F  IN  O  At. 


CANTO  IU4 


And  to  their  fellowfhip  and  favour 
Rcftore  him,  on  his  good  behaviour. 

Not  fo,  our  'Squire  fubmits  to  rale, 
But  flood  heroic  as  a  mule. 
"  You'll  find  it  all  in  vain,"  quoth  he, 
*<  To  play  your  rebel  tricks  on  me. 
All  punifhments  theVorld  can  render, 
Serve  only  to  provoke  th'  offender  ; 
The  will's  confirm'd  by  treatment  horrid, 
As  hides  grow  harder  when  they're  curried  5 
No  man  e'er  felt  the  halter  draw. 
With  good  opinion  of  the  law  ; 
Or  hsld,  in  method  orthodox, 
His  lote  of  juftice  in  the  flocks  ; 
Or  iaird  to  lofe  by  (heriff's  fliears 
At  once  his  loyalty  and  ears. 
Have  you  made  Murray  look  lefs  big, 
Or  fmok'd  oW  Williams  to  a  Whig  ? 
Did  our  mobb'd  Ol'ver  *  quit  his  ftation, 

*  This  is  the  "  Chief- Judge  Oliver**  of  the  firft  Canto,  in 
whofe  appointment  the  fagacious  M*Fingal  perceives  that  Heav- 
en had  no  hand.  One  ground  of  the  quarrel  hetwten  the  Britifh 
government  and  the  people  of  MaiTachufetts  was,  the  n^  hj 
which  the  Jtidges  of  the  Colony  were  rendered  independent 
of  the  Colony  for  their  fa]Bry,ai  well  a«  for  their  places;  which 
was  contrary'  to  ancient  ufage.  When  the  people  felt  thcfc 
particular  a«Sls  of  oppreilion  from  a  powt^r  three  thoufand  miles 
diftant,  their  only  method  of  redrefs  was,  to  prevent  any  per- 


'^ 


-vf 


fun 


CANTO   III. 


M*F  I  N  O  A  L. 


91 


,.'i^ 


Or  heed  his  vows  of  refig nation  ?        ^       .^ 
Has  Rivington,  f  in  dread  of  ftripcs,  ., 

Ccas'd  lying  fmce  you  ftolc  his  types  ?   . 
And  can  you  think  my  faith  will  aUer«  ^ 
By  tarring,  whipping,  or  the  haicer  ? 
1*11  ftand  the  word  ;  for  r-'^ompcnfe        j 
I  truft  King  George  an^'  Providence. 
And  when,  our  conquci'        a'd,  I  come»  ^     - 

Array*d  in  Ian'  and  terroi ,  liomc, 
You'll  rue  this  inaufpicious  morn,  ,  .  .  -, 

And  curfe  the  day  you  e'er  were  born, 
In  Job's  high  ftyle  of  imprecations. 
With  all  his  plagues,  without  his  patience."    , 
Meanwhile,  befide  the  pole,  the  guard     ,  .. 
A  bench  of  juftice  had  prepared,     ,^,.    ,   '  y<'-     5  r/ 

fon  from  accepting  an  o^ce,  or  from  exercifing  its  fundions, 
under  fuch  an  aiSt.  This  expedient  had  been  fucccfsful  iu  the 
cafe  of  the  Stamp-a6l  a  few  years  before ;  and  the  people  nuw 
apphed  to  Judge  Oliver,  retjueiling  him  to  refign  an  office,  the 
new  arrangement  of  which  fo  nianifcllly  ftruck  at  the  founda- 
tion of  their  liberty.  The  Judge  promifcd  to  refign  his  pbce ; 
but  afterwards  >clai:iied  that  "  bightj} privilege  6f  Jjjeecby^  which. 
M'Fingal  has  fo  well  vindicated   in  favour  of  General  Gage. 

f  H'-rc  a^^ain  is  an  old  acquaintance  of  the  firft  Canto.  His 
paper,  entitled  The  Koya!  Gazette,  had,  by  a  ftrange  combina- 
tion of  circumftancos,  obtained  the  name,  through  all  the  coun- 
try, of  The  Lyin<r  Gazette.  It  Was  on  this  account  that  the 
people  at  a  certain  time  fcnt  a  committee  to  take  away  his  types* 
But  this  meafure  was  as  incffcdual  as  tho|p  that  vrerc  ufed 
with  Murray,  Williams,  Oliver,  &c. 


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23  WEST  MAIN  STRUT 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  14580 

(716)  872-4503 


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Ml' F  TNG  AC. 


CANTO.  Ill- 


'\. 


Where,  fitting  round  in  awful  forti 
The  grand  Committee  hold  their  court  ^ 
While  all  the  crew,  in  iilent  awe, 
Wait  from  their  lips  the  lore  of  law- 
Few  moments,  with  deliberation,, 
They  hold  the  fhlemn  confultation^. 
When  foon  in  judgment  all  agree. 
And.  Cleric  declares  the  dread  decree: 
"  That  'Squire  M^Fingal  haTing  growife 
Th«  vileft  Tory  in  the  town,  ' 

And  now  oil  full  examination^, 
Convitfl^d  by  bis  own  conftffibn. 
Finding  no  toktns  of  repentance. 
This  Court  proceed  to  render  fentencc  : 
That  firft  the  Mob  a  ffipJcnot  fmgle 
Tie  round  the  neck  of  iaid  M'Fingal ;; 
And  ia  due  form  do  tar  him  next,  :,.  !  h 

And  feather,  as  the  law  directs  ;; 
Then  through-  the  town  attendant  ride  himw 
In  cart,  with  Conftablq  befide  him.;.    . 
And  having  held  him.  up  to  fhame,. 
Bring  to  the  pole  from  whence  he  came. 
Forthwith  the  crowd  proceed  to  deck,, 
With,  hallcr'd  noofe,.M.*Fingal*s  neck, 
While  he,  in  peril  of  his  foul,. 
Stood  ty'd  half  hangipg^o  the  pole  ;. 
Then  lifting  highifllb: ponderous  jar, 
Pour*d  o'er  hi^jiead  the'fmoking  tar :; 


r^is. 


'«• 


^mi 


Ml 


CANTO  HI. 


M*  H  IN.  a  A  L.. 


9J 


With:  lefs.  profurion  erOf  was  fpread 

The  Jewiih  oil  on  royal  h£ad» 

That  down  his.  beard  and  veftments  ran>, 

And  cover'd:  all  his  outward  man. 

As  when  (fo*  Claudiaa  fmgs* )  the  gods. 

And  earth-born  giants  feR  at  odds». 

TJic  (lout  £nceladii«  in  malice 

Tore  mountains  up  ta  throw  at  Pallas ;; 

And  as  he  held  then):  o'er  his  head) 

The  river,  from  their  fountains  fed,. 

Poured  down  his  biu'k.  its  copious,  tidcj. 

And  wore  its  channels  in  his  hide  :. 

Soj  from  the  high^rais-'^  urn,,  the  torrents 

Spread  down  his  Cnic  their  various,  currents 

His  flowing  wig,  as  next  the  brim, 

Firft  met  and  drank  die  fable  ftreuni ;. 

Adown  his  vifuge,.  Hern  and  grave, 

KoU'd  and  adJier'd  the  vifcid  wave  ;, 

With,  arms  depending  as  he  (lood, 

Each  cufF  capacious  holds  the  flood  ;:  . 

From  nofc  and  chin's  remotell  end» 

The  tjirry  icicles  depend;. 

Till  all  o'erfpread,  with  colours  gay,, 

He  glitterM  to  the  weftern  ray, 

Like  fleet-bound  trees  in  wintry  flcies,. 

Or  Lapland  idol  carv'd  in  ice. 

And  now  the  feather-bag  difplay'd, 

Is  vvav'd  in  triumph  o'er  his  head,    i 


w 


*  *'  Ciaudian's  Gigantonacbia/* 


94 


M*r  I  N  aAL. 


CANTO    IIU 


And  fpread  him  o'er  with  feathers  mifiivei 

And  down,  upon  the  tar  stdhedve  : 

Not  Maia's  Ton,  with  wings  for  ears. 

Such  plumes  around  his  vifage  wears  ; 

Nor  Milton's  fix-wing'd  angel  gathers 

Such  fuperfluity  of  feathers  ; 

Till  all  complete  appears  our  'Squire 

Like  Gorgon  or  Chimera  dire  ; 

Nor  more  could  bond  on  *  Plato's  plan 

To  rank  amid  the  race  of  man, 

Or  prove  his  claim  to  human  nature, 

As  a  two-legg*d,  unfeather'd  creature. 

Then  on  the  two-wheel'd  car  of  ftatc. 
They  rais'd  our  grand  Dluumvirate.        ,,.  , 
And  as  at  Rome  a  like  committee, 
That  found  an  owl  within  their  city,  i  ?.; 
With  folemn  rites  and  fad  proceffions, 
At  ev'ry  Ihrine  perform'd  luftrations  ; 
And  left  infection  fhould  abound. 
From  prodigy  with  face  fo  round, 
All  Rome  attends  him  through  the  ftreet. 
In  triumph  to  his  couni      feat ; 
Wiih  like  devotion  all  the  choir  > ,' 

Paraded  round  our  fcather'd  'Squire  ;      < 
In  front  the  martial  roufic  comes 
Of  horns  and  fiddles,  fifes  and  drums, 


,  T":  'tft- 


iii, 


*■*  ii- 1 


i>: 


*  **  Alluding  to  Plato's  famous  deilnitiou  of  Mau,  **JnitiMl 


>* 


CANTO  ni. 


M*  P  I  N  O  A  L. 


95 


With  jingling.found  of  carxiage  bells. 
And  treble  creak  of  ruded  wheels ; 
Behind,  the  crowd,  in  lengthened  row. 
With  grave  proceffion,  clos'd  the  Ihow  ; 
And  at  fit  periods  ev'ry  throat 
Coxnbin'd  in  univerfal  ihout. 
And  hail'd  great  Liberty  in  chorus, 
Or  bawl'd,  Confufion  to  the  Tories. 
Not  louder  ftoim  the  welkin  braves. 
From  clamours  of  confliAing  waves  ; 
Lefs  dire  in  Lybian  wilds  the  noile. 
When  rav'ning  lions  lift  their  voice ; 
Or  triumphs  at  town-meetings  made^ 
On  pafling  rotes  to  reg'late  trade.* 

Thus  having  borne  them  round  the  to\m» 
Laft  at  the  pole  they  fct  them  doWn, 
And  tow'rd  the  tavern  take  their  way, 
To  end  in  mirth  the  feftal  day. 

And  now  the  Mob,  difpers'd  and  gone. 
Left  'Squire  and  Conftable  alone.  ^ 

The  Conftable,  in  rueful  cafe, 
Lean'd  fad  and  folemn  o*er  a  brace, 
And  fad  befidebim,  check  by  jowl. 
Stuck  'Squire  M'Fmgal  'gainft  the  pole, 

*  Such  votes  were  frequently  paiCed  at  Towmxicetinj^  ;  the 
«bje<a  of  which  was,  to  prevent  the  augmentation  of  prices  on 
the  ncceffarics  of  life,  and  thus  to  obviate  the  effedls  of  th«  de- 
preciation of  Uc  paper-money."'''     ^^'^*^' 


^6 


M^FIN'G  Al.. 


CANtnO  UU 


Olued  by  the  ^ar,  t'  his  re»r  upplj'dy 

Like  barnacle  on  vefTeP^  fkie« 

But  though  his  body  lack'd  jihyfician* 

.His  fpirit  was  -in  worfe  condition. 

He  found  his  fears  of  whips  and  ropes. 

By  many  a  drachm  out-weigh*d  his  hopes* 

As  men  in ^aol  without  naainprize. 

View  ev'ry  thing  with  othen  eyes } 

And  all  goes  wrong  in  Church  and  State, 

Seen  through  perfpeAive  of  the  grate ; 

So  now  M'Fingal's  fecond^i^ht 

Beheld  all  things  in  different  light ; 

His  vifual  nerve,  well  pur^M  with  tar, 

Saw  all  the  coming  fcenes  of  war. 

As  his  prGphetlc  ibul  grew  ilronger, 

He  found  he  could  hold  in  no  longer  : 

Firft  from  the  pole,  as  fierce  he  Ihook^ 

His^  wig  from  pitchy  durance  broke, 

His  mouth  ungkiM,  his  feathers  flutter'd^ 

His  tarr'd  (kirts  crack'd,  and  thus  he  utter'd  ; 

**  Ah,  Mr.  Conftable,  in  vain 

We  ftrire  'gainft  wind,  and  tide,  and  rain  i 

Behold  my  doom  i!  this  feather'd  omen 

Portends  what  difmal  times  are  coming. 

Now  future  fcenes  before  my  eyes. 

And  fccond-fighted  forms  arife  5 

I  hear  a  voice  that  calls  away, 

And'crieSf  The  Whigs  will  win  the  day  j 


CANTO  III. 


M*FI  N  O  AL. 


My  beck'ning  Genius  gives  command, 
And  bids  us  fly  the  fatal  land ; 
Where,  changing  name  and  condltution, 
Rebellion  turns  to  Revolution, 
While  Loyalty,  opprefs'd  in  tears. 
Stands  trembling  for  his  neck  and  earsk 
Go,  fummon  all  our  brethren,  greeting, 
To  mufter  at  our  ufual  meeting. 
There  my  prophetic  voice  fhall  warn  'em, 
Of  all  things  future  that  concern  *em. 
And  fcenes  difclofe,  on  which,  my  friend, 
Their  condu<ft  and  their  lives  depend  : 
There  I — but  firft  'tis  more  of  ufe. 
From  this  vile  pole  to  fet  me  loofe  ;— 
Then  go  with  cautious  fteps  and  fteady, 
While  I  ftecr  home  and  make  all  ready." 


97 


END  OF  THE   THIRD  CANTO. 


N 


M^F     I     N     G     A     L, 


CANTO    FOURTH. 


The  Vifion. 


IN  OW  night  came  down,  and  rofe  full  foon 
That  patronefs  of  rogues,  the  Moon, 
Beneath  whofe  kind,  proteding  ray, ' 
Wolves,  brute  *nd  human,  prowl  for  prey. 
The  honeft  world  all  fnored  in  chorus. 
While  owls,  and  ghofts,  and  thieves  and  Tories* 
Whom  erft  the  mid-day  fun  had  aw'd, 
Crept  from  their  lurking  holes  abroad. 
On  cautious  hinges,  flow  and  (liller 
Wide  ope*d  the  great  M*Fingal*s  *ccllar, 
Where,  (hut  from  prying  eyes  in  clufter, 
The  Tory  Pandemonium  mufter. 
Their  chiefs  all  fitting  round  defcry'd  are, 
On  kegs  of  ale,  and  feats  of  cider  ;         * 

*  **  Pandltur  interia  domus  omnipotentis  Olympi, 
Coiicillumq  ;  vocat  DIvum  pater  atq ;  hominum  rex 
SitJerciim  in  fedem."  lab.  lo.  ^neid. 


CANTO  IV, 


M^FINO  AL« 


99 


Wlien  firft  M*Fingal,  dimly  feen, 
Rofe  folemn  from  the  turnip-bin. 
Nor  yet  his  *  form  had  wholly  loft 
The  original  brightnefs  it  could  boaft* 
Nor  lefs  appear'd  than  Juftice  Quorum^ 
In  feather'd  majefty  before  'em. 
Adown  his  tar-ftreak'd  vifage  clear 
Fell  gliftening  faft  th'  indignant  tear. 
And  thus  his  voice,  in  mournful  wifcy 
Purfu'd  the  prologue  of  his  fighs  : 

**  Brethren  and  friends,  the  glorious  band 
Of  loyalty  in  rebel  land  ! 
It  was  not  thus  you've  ieen  me  fitting 
Return'd  in  triumph  from  town-meeting, 
When  bluft'ring  Whigs  were  put  to  (land, 
And  votes  obey'd  my  guiding  hand. 
And  new  commiffions  pleas'd  my  eyes  ; 
Bleft  days,  but,  ah,  no  more  to  rife ! 
Alas  !  againft  my  better  light 
And  optics  fure  of  fecond-fight. 
My  ftubborn  foul,  in  error  ftrong. 
Had  faith  in  Hutchinfon  too  long. 
See  what  brave  trophies  ftill  we  bring 
From  all  our  battles  for  the  king  ; 
And  yet  thefe  plagues,  now  paft  before  tts. 
Are  but  our  entering-wedge  of  forrows. 


•  «< 


——His  form  had  not  yet  loft 
All  its  original  brightnefs,  nor  appear'd 
Lefs  than  Archangel  ruin'd/* 


Miltotf, 


lOO 


MOPING  AL. 


CANTO  rr. 


I  fee,  in  glooms  tempeftuous,  (land 

The  cloud  impending  o'er  the  land ; 

That  cloud»  which  (till  beyond  their  hopes 

Serves  all  our  orators  with  tropes^ 

Which,  though  from  our  own  vapours  fcdf 

Shall  point  its  thunders  on  our  head  ! 

I  fee  the  Mob,  beflipp'd  in  taverns, 

Hunt  us,  like  wolves,  through  wilds  and  caverns  ? 

What  dungeons  rife  t'  alarm  our  fears» 

What  horfc-whips  whiftle  round  our  ears! 

Tar,  yet  in  embryo  in  the  pine, 

Sliall  run,  on  Tories*  backs  to  (hine  ; 

Trees  rooted  fair  in  groves  of  fallows 

Are  growing  for  our  future  gallows  ; 

And  gecCQ  nnhatch*d,  when  pluck*d  in  fray. 

Shall  rue  the  feathering  of  that  day. 

For  me,  before  thefe  fatal  days, 

I  mean  to  fly  th*  accurfed  place, 

And  follow  omens,  which  of  late 

Have  warn'd  me  of  impending  fate  ; 

Yet  pafs'd  unnoticed  o*cr  my  view, 

Till  fad  convi(5Hon  prov'd  them  true  ; 

As  prophecies,  of  bed  intent,  , 

Are  only  heeded  in  th'  event.  < 

"  For  late  in  vifions  of  the  night 
The  gallows  ftood  before  my  fight ;         * 
I  faw  its  ladJer  heav'd  on  end  ; 
I  idw  the  deadly  rope  defcund  ; 


CANTO  IV. 


M*F1  N  O  A  L» 


lOl 


And  in  its  noofe,  that  wav'ring  fwang. 
Friend  *  Malcolm  hung,  or  fccm'd  to  hang. 
How  chang'd  from  him,  who,  bold  as  lion^ 
Stood  Aid-de-Camp  to  Gov'rnor  Tryon  ; 
Made  rebels  vanifh  once,  like  witches, 
And  fdv'd  his  life,  but  dropp'd  his  breeches  J 
I  fcarce  had  made  a  fearful  bow. 
And  trembling  afk'd  him,  "  How  d'ye  do  V* 
When,  lifting  up  his  eyes  fo  wide, 
(His  eyes  alone — his  hands  were  ty'd  ;) 
With  feeble  voice,  as  fpiriis  life, 
Now  almoft  choakM  with  gripe  of  noofe  ; 
t "  Ah  !  fly,  my  friend,"  he  cry'd,  "  efcape. 
And  keep  yourfelf  from  this  fad  fcrape  ; 
Enough  you've  talk'd,  and  writ,  and  plann'd  5 
The  Whigs  have  got  the  upper  hand. 
Dame  Fortune's  wheel  has  turn'd  fo  fhort, 

*  "  Malcolm  was  a  Scotchman,  Aid  to  Governor  Tryon 
in  his  expedition  againft  the  Regulators  in  North  Carolina, 
where,  in  the  engagement,  he  met  with  the  accident  of  the 
breeches  here  alluded  to.  He  was  afterwards  an  under-officer 
of  the  cuftoms  in  Bofton,  where,  becoming  obnoxious,  he  was 
tarred,  feathered,  and  half-hanged  by  the  mob,  about  the  year 
1774.  After  this,  he  was  negle<ftcd  and  avoided  by  his  own 
party,  and  thinking  his  merits  and  fufferings  unrewarded,  ap- 
peared equally  malevolent  againft  Whigs  and  Tories." 

"  The  pretences  of  the  Highlanders  to  prophecy  by  fecond- 
fight  are  too  well  known  to  need  an  explanation.'* 

f  There  is  in  this  fcene  a  general  allufion  to  the  appearance 
and  fpeech  of  Hc(ftor's  ghoft,  in  the  fccond  book  of  the  -ffincid. 


xos 


M*  P  I  H  O  A  L. 


CAKTO  IV, 


It  plung'd  us  fairly  in  the  dirt ; 

Could  mortal  arm  our  fears  have  ended. 

This  arm  (and  (hook  it)  had  defended. 

But  longer  now  'tis  vain  to  (lay  ; 

See,  ev*n  the  Reg'lars  run  away  : 

Wait  not  till  things  grow  defperater. 

For  hanging  is  no  laughing  matter  : 

This  might  your  grandllres'  fortunes  tell  you  on. 

Who  both  were  hang'd  the  laft  rebellion  ;      ^  , 

Adventure,  then,  no  longer  (lay. 

But  call  your  friends,  and  run  away. 

Forlo,  through  deeped  glooms  of  night, 

I  come  to  aid  thy  fecond  fight,        .   .  j 

Difclofe  tlie  plagues  that  round  us  wait, 

And  wake  the  dark  decrees  of  fate.  \_ 

Afcend  this  ladder,  whence,  unfurled,  t 

The  curtain  opes  oft*  other  world  ;  * 

For  here  new  worlds  their  fcenes  unfold. 

Seen  from  this  back-door  of  the  old.f 

As  when  -£neas  rifqu'd  his  life,  -   ;  > 

Like  Orpheus  venturing  for  his  wife. 

And  bore  in  (how  his  mortal  carcafs, 

Through  realms  of  Erebus  and  Orcus, 

Then  in  the  happy  fields  Elyfian, 

Saw  all  his  embryo  fens  in  vifion  : 

f  That  the  ^Uows  is  the  lack'door  leading  from  this  to  the 
other  world,  is  a  perfedly  new  idea  in  Epic  Poetry  ;  unlefs 
the  hint  might  have  been  taken  from  the  rear-trumpet  of  Fame 
in  Hudibras. 


"T-W"  J     •■«^-- 


CANTO  IV. 


M<  F  I  N  O  A  U 


1h 


As  (hown  by  great  archangel»  MichaeU 
Old  Adam  faw  the  world's  whole  fequclf 
And  from  the  mount's  extended  fpacey 
The  rifing  fortunes  of  his  race  ; 
So  from  this  (lage  (halt  thou  behold 
The  war  its  coming  fcenes  unfold » 
Rais'd  by  my  arm  to  meet  thine  eye ) 
My  Adam,  thou  ;  thine  angel»  I. 
But  firft  my  pow'r,  for  vifions  *  bright, 
Mud  clcanfe  from  clouds  thy  mental  fight, 
Remove  the  dim  fufFufions  fpread, 
Which  bribes  and  falVies  there  have  bred  | 
And,  from  the  well  of  Bute,  infule 
Three  genuine  drops  of  Highland  dews, 
To  purge,  like  euphrafy  and  rue, 
Thine  eyes,  for  much  thou  haft  to  view. 

"  Now,  freed  from  Tory  darknefs,  raife 
Thy  head,  and  fpy  the  coming  days ; 
For  lo,  before  our  fecond-fight. 
The  Continent  afcends  in  light ; 
From  north  to  fouth,  what  gath'ring  fwarms 
Increafe  the  pride  of  rebel  arms ! 
Through  ev'ry  State,  our  legions  brave 
Speed  gallant  marches  to  the  grave. 
Of  battling  Whigs  the  frequent  prize, 
Willie  rebel  trophies  (lain  the  Ikies. 


t  {( 


See  Milton's  Pai-adife  Loft,  Book  ii. 


104 


M'F  I  N  G  A  L. 


CANTO  IV. 


'r** 


W 


Behold,  o'er  northern  realms  afar,* 

Extend  the  kindling  flames  of  war !         >r  ,.uj 

See  fam'd  St.  John's  and  Montreal, 

Doom'd  by  Montgom'ry's  arm  to  fall!     . 

Where  Hudfon  with  majeftic  fway, 

Through  hills  difparted  ploughs  \iis  way,       ,   ,    ,:- 

Fate  fpreads  on  Bemus'  Heights  alarms, 

And  pours  deftru<5tion  on  our  arms  ;    ^      ^     »/    .: 

There  Bennington's  enlanguin'd  plain. 

And  Stony-Point,  the  prize  of  Wayne.  v 

*  Nothing  lefs  thau  the  whole  Hiflory  of  the  American 
War  would  be  fufficient,  completely  to  illuftrate  the  merits  of 
this  fingle  paragraph.     Malcolm,  the  gallows-taught  prophet, 
in   preparing  the  mind  <jf  M*Fingal  to   contemplate,  with 
proper  intelligence,  the  various  fcenes  that  are  to  rife  fucef- 
fively  to  view  in  the  courfe  of  the  Vifion,  glances  over  the 
Continent,  and  mentions  in  this  paffage  the  principal  fcenes  of 
-adion,  from  the  expedition  into  Canada  in  1 7  75,  to  the  capture 
of  Lord  Cornwallis  in  1 781-.   The  concluding  part  of  his  Ipeech 
18  therefore  a  kind  of  argument  to  this  whole  book  of  Vifion ; 
in  which  the  fame  objeds  are  unfolded  at  large,  with  their  at- 
tendant circumftances  ;  in  order  that  they  may  make  a  proper 
impreflion  on  the  elevated  mind  of  the  great  M'Fingal.     It  is 
thus  that  our  Podt,  like  Homer,in  his  Iliad,  feizes  all  occafions 
to  do  honour  to  his  principal  hero.     By  fuppofmg  him  already 
pofleffed  of  all  natural  and  political  knowledge  that  could  be 
•obtained  by  mortal  ftudy  and  experience,  he  makes  him,  like 
Achilles,  capable  of  receiving  inftrudtion  only  by  the  agency 
of  a  fuper- terreflrial  power.    The  advifers  of  Achilles  defcend- 
ed  from  the  il^ies,  that  of  M'Fingal  is  mounted  towards  the 
ikies. 


^■■ 


V» 


,v 


CANTO  IV.  M*  F  I  ^  Q  A  L. 

Behold  near  Del'warc's  icy  roar, 
Where  morning  dawns  on  Trenton's  ihore, 
While  Heilians  fpread  their  Chriflmas  feafts» 
Rufh  rude  thefe  uninvited  guefts ; 
Nor  ought  avail,  to  Whigs  a  prize. 
Their  martial  whifkers'  grifly  fize. 
On  Princeton  plains  our  heroes  yieldt 
And  fpread  in  flight  the  vanquifh'd  field. 
While  fear  ta  Mawhood's  heels  puts  on 
Wings,  wide  as  worn  by  Maia's  fon. 
Behold  the  Pennfylvanian  fhore, 
Enrich'd  with  ftreams  of  Britifh  gore ; 
Where  many  a  veteran  chief  in  bed  '. 

Of  honour  refts  his  flumb'rmg  head» 
And  in  foft  vales,  in  land  of  foes,        .    ,. 
Their  wearied  virtue  finds  repofe« 
See  plundering  Dunmore's  negro  band     ^ 
Fly  headlong  from  Virginia's  (Irand ; 
And  far  on  fouthem  hills,  our  qoufins. 
The  Scotch  McDonalds,  fall  by  dozens  $ 
Or  where  King's  Mountain  lifts  its  headt    / 
Our  ruin'd  bands  in  triumph  led ! 
Behold  o'er  Tarleton's  bluft'ring  train,       - 
The  Rebels  ftretch  the  captive  chain  I 
Afar  near  Eutaw's  fatal  fprings 
Diefcending  Vid'ry  fpreads  her  wings  1 
Through  all  the  land  in  various  chafe, 
We  hunt  the  rainbow  of  fuccefs ; 


105 


.f^-y 


iv  ,^': 


o 


-.rl     S. 


io6 


M^F  I  N  G  AL. 


CANTO  ir. 


}» 


In  vain  !  their  Chief,  fuperior  (lill. 
Eludes  our  force  with  Fabian  fkill ; 
Or  fwift  defcending  by  furprife, 
Like  Pruflia's  eagle,  fweeps  the  prize.' 

I  look'd  ;  nor  yet,  oppreft  with  fears, 
Gave  credit  to  my  eyes  or  ears, 
But  held  the  views  an  empty  dream. 
On  Berkley's  immaterial  fcheme  ; 
And  pondering  fad,  with  troubled  breaft 
At  length  my  rifing  doubts  exprefs'd. 

"  Ah,  whither,  thus  by  rebels  fmitten, 
Is  fled  th*  omnipotence  of  Britain,  " 
Or  fail'd  his  ufual  guard  to  keep. 
Gone  truanting.or  falPn  afleep  ;*  ;<  /v"^ ; 

As  Baal  hii  prophets  left  confounded,  ' '    ' 

And  bawling  vot'ries  gafli'd  and  wounded  ?     - 
Did  not,  retir'd  to  bow'rs  Elyfian,  '  ' 

Great  Mars  leave  with  her  his  commiflion. 
And  Neptune  erft,  in  treaty  free, 
Give  up  dominion  o'er  the  fea  ? 
Elfe  Where's  the  faith  of  fam'd  orations, 
Addrefs,  debate,  and  proclamations,  f 

Or  courtly  fermon,  laureat  ode, 

*  "  Cry  aloud '.  for  he  is  a  god  ;  either  he  is  talking,  or  he 
is  purfuing,  or  he  is  in  a  journey,  or  peradventurc  he  fleepeth. 
And  they  cried  aloud,  and  cut  themfelves  after  their  manner 
with  knives  and  lancets'*  I  ICings,  diap.  xviii.  The  other 
original  fubjeAs  alluded  to  in  the  fubfequent  part  of  thisfpeech, 
may  be  found  by  the  curious  reader  in  the  various  andimnior* 
tal  works  mentioned  by  the  poet  in  tlie  text. 


CANTO  IV. 


M*FINO  AL. 


107 


And  ballads  on  the  wat'ry  god  ; 

With  whofe  high  drains  great  George  enriches 

His  eloquence  of  gracious  fpeeches  ? 

Not  faitliful  to  our  Highland  eyes, 

Thefe  deadly  forms  of  vifion  rife  ; 

But  fure  fome  Whig-infpiring  fprite  / 

Now  palms  delufion  on  our  fight. 

I'd  fcarcely  truft  a  tale  fo  ^ain,  .  ,: 

Should  revelation  prompt  the  flrain. 

Or  Ofllan's  ghoft  the  icenes  rehearfe,     ;>  ^    1  ^ 

In  all  the  melody  of  *  Erfe." 

*<  Too  long,  quoth  Malcolm,  with  confufion, 
You've  dwelt  already  in  deluiion. 
As  Sceptics,  of  all  fools  the  chief,  . 

Hold  faith  in  creeds  of  unbelief^. 
I  come  to  draw  thy  veil  afide 
Of  error,  prejudice,  and  pride. 
Fools  love  deception,  but  the  wife 
Prefer  fad  truth  to  pleafihg  lies.  '   ^ 

For  know,  thofe  hopes  can  ne'er  fucceed 
That  truft  on  Britain's  breaking  reed. 
For  weak'ning  long  from  bad  to  worfe. 
By  fatal  atrophy  of  purfe. 
She  feels  at  length  with  trembling  heart, 
Her  foes  have  found  her  mortal  part. 
As  fum'd  Achilles,  dipt  by  Thetis 
In  Styx,  as  iung  in  ancient  ditties, 

\^*  "Erfe,  the  ancient  Scottifli  language,  in. which  Offiaa 
wrote  his  poems.**  .      „  •  ' 


io8 


M*  F  I  N  G  A  L. 


CANTO  IV. 


Grew  all  cafe-harden*d  o^er  like  ftecl, 

Invalnerable,  fave  his  heel, 

And  laugh'd  at  fwords  and  fpcats,  as  fquibs. 

And  all  difeafes,  bat  the  kibes ; 

Yet  met  at  laft  hfs  fatal  wound, 

By  Paris'  arrow  naiPd  to  th'  ground  : 

So  Britain's  boafted  ftrenglh  defcrts, 

In  thcfe  her  empire's  utmoft  ^irts^ 

Remov'd  beyond  her  fierce  impteflions, 

And  atmofphere  of  omnipirefeAce  ; 

Nor  to  thefe  fhores'  remoter  ends, 

Her  dwarf  omnipotence  e xtends : 

Whence  in  this  turn  of  things  fo  ftrange, 

'Tis  time  our  principles  to  change. 

For  vain  that  boafted  faith,  which  gathers 

No  perquifite,  but  tar  and  feathers. 

No  pay,  but  Whigs*  infulting  malice. 

And  no  promotion  but  the  gallows. 

I've  long  enough  flood  firm  and  fteady, 

Half-hang'd  for  loyalty  already : 

And  could  I  fave  my  neck  and  pelfi  ^   ; 

I'd  turn  a  flaming  Whig  myfelf,      ^  ^ 

And  quit  this  caufe,  and  courfe,  and  calling. 

Like  rats  that  fly  from  houfe  that's  falling. 

But  lince,  obnoxious  here  to  Fate,  ^ 

This  faving  wifdom  comes  too  late, 

Our  nobleft  hopes  already  croft,  ^  ^  "- 

Our  fkl'ries  gone,  our  titles  loft,  '      :  ,? 

Doomed  to  worfe  iuff 'rings  from  the  Mob, 


h:  ^  ■ 


GAKTO  rv. 


M^F  I  N  O  A  L. 


10$ 


Than  Satan's  furg'ries  ufed  on  job  ; 
What  more  remains  but  now  with  fleight. 
What's  left  of  us  to  fave  by  flight  ? 

"  Now  raife  thine  eyes  ;  for  vifions  true 
Again  afcending  wait  thy  vicw.^ 
1  look'd  ;  and,  clad  in  early  light. 
The  fpires  of  Bofton  rofe  to  fight  ;"•       ' 
The  morn  o*er  eaft em  hills  afar, 
IllunninM  the  varying  fcenes  of  wan  -'l'% 
Great  Howe  had  long  fmce  in  the  lap  ' 
Of  Loring  taken  out  his  nap,     ^  ^-v 
And  with  the  fun*s  afcending  ray. 
The  cuckold  came  to  take  his  pay. 
When  all  th'  encircling  hills  around, 
With  inftantaneous  bread- works  crown*d. 
With  pointed  thunders  met  his  fight, 
By  magic  rear'd  the  former  night. 
Each  fummit  far,  as  eye  commands. 
Shone  peopled  with  rebellious  Uands. 
Aloft  their  towering  heroes  rife , 
As  Titans  erft  aflaiPd  the  flties. 
Leagued  witli  fuperior  force  to  prove, 
The  fceptred  hand  of  Britifti  Jove. 
Mounds,  piPd  on  hills,  afcended  fair. 
With  batteries,  plac'd  in  middle  air, 
That,  rais'd  like  angry  clouds  on  high, 
Seem*d  like  th'  artill'ry  of  the  fky. 
And  hurVd  their  fiery  bolts  amain,         </ 
In  thunder  on  the  trembling  plain* 


^^|U 


,i-j 


no 


M^  F  I  N  6  A  L. 


CANTO  IV. 


I  faw  along  the  proftrate  ftrand, 
Our  baffl'd  Gen'rals  quit  the  land, 
And,  fwift  as  frighted  mermaids,  flee^ 
T'  our  boafted  element,  the  fea ! 
Refign  that  long  contefted  fhore,     .    , 
Again  the  prize  of  rebel-power,  •  ' 

And  tow'rd  their,  town  of  refuge  flf, 
Xiike  conviA  Jews,  condemn'd  to  die. 
Then  tow'rd  the  north  I  tum'd  my  eyes. 
Where  Saratoga's  heights  arife, 
And  faw  our  chofen  veteran  band> 
Defcend  in  terror  o'er  the  land  ; 
T*  oppofe  their  fury  of  alarms. 
Saw  all  New-England  wake  to  arms. 
And  ev'ry  Yankey,  full  of  mettle. 
Swarm  forth,  like  bees  at  found  of  kettle. 
Not  Rome,  when  Tarquin  rap'd  Lucretia, 
Saw  wilder  muft'ring  of  militia.       , 
Through  all  the  woods  and  plains  cf  fight. 
What  mortal  battles  fiU'd  my  fight,, 
While  Britilh  corfes  ftrew*d  the  Ihore, 
And  Hudfon  ting'd  his  ftreams  with  gore  ! 
What  tongue  can  tell  the  difmal  day. 
Or  paint  the  party-colour'd  fray  ; 
When  yeomen  left  their  fields  afar. 
To  plough  the  crimfon  plains  of  war  ; 
When  zeal  to  fwords  transformed  their  fhares, 
And  turn'd  their  pruning  hooks  to  fpears, 
Chang'd  tailor's  geefe  to  guns  and  ball, 


CANTO  IV. 


M'F  I  NG  AL. 


Ill 


And  ftretch'd  to  pike  the  cobler's  awl ; 
While  hunters  fierce,  like  mighty  Nimrod, 
Made  on  our  troops  a  daring' inroad ; 
And  levelling  fquint  on  barrel  round, 
Brought  our  beau-officers  to  ground ;   » 
While  rifle-frocks  fent  Generals  cap'ring, 
And  Red-Coats  flirunk  from  leathern  apron. 
And  epaulet  and  gorget  run 
From  whimyard  brown  and  rufty  gun  : 
While  fun-burnt  wigs,  in  high  command« 
Kufh  furious  on  our  frighted  band. 
And  ancient  beards  and  hoary  hai.-. 
Like  meteors  dream  in  troubled  air. 
With  locks  unfliom  not'  Sarapfon  more  ■* 
Made  ufelefs  ail  the  fliow  of  war, 
Nor  fought  with  afs's  jaw  for  rarity,    ■ 
With  more  fuccefs  or  fingularity*      i?     -  * 
I  faw  our  vet'ran  thoufands  yield,-'        ^"^ 
And  pile  their  mufquets  on  the  field ; 
And  peafant  guards,  in  rueful  plight, 
March  oflF  our  captur*d  bands  from  fight ; 
While  erery  rebel- fife  in  play. 
To  Yankey-doodle  tun'd  its  lay. 
And,  like  the  mufic  of  the  fpheres. 
Mellifluous  footh*d  their  vanquifti'd  ears.    __^ 
«  Alas  !"  laid  I,  -*«  what  baleful  ftar      '; 
Sheds  fatal  influence  on  the  war. 
Arid  who  that  chofen  chief-of  fame, 
That  heads  this  grand  parade  of  (hame  ?" 


112 


M*F  IN  O  AL. 


CANTO  IV. 


"  There  fee  how  fate,"  great  Malcolm  cry'di 
**  Strikes  with  its  bolts  the  tow'rs  of  pride. 
Behold  that  martial  macaroni, 
Compound  of  Phcebus  and  Bellona, 
With  warlike  fword  and  fingfong  lay,     v 
Equipp'd  alike  for  feaft  or  fray,  I 

Where  equal  wit  and  valour  join  ;    , 
This,  this  is  he,  the  fam'd  Burgoyne  :  - 

Who  pawn'd  his  honour  and  commifHon, 
To  coax  the  patriots  to  fubmiflion,  ;  ? 

By  fongs  and  balls  fecure  obedience,      >  s 

And  dance  the  ladies  to  allegiance,  ; 

Oft  his  camp  mufes  he'll  parade 
At  Bofton  in  the  grand  blockade ;  •  » 

And  well  invoked  with  punch  of  arrack,        v 
Hold  converfe  fweet  in  tent  or  barrack,     ,  y  , 
Infpir'd  in  more  heroic  faftiion, 
Both  by  his  theme  and  (ituation  ; 
While  Farce  and  Proclamation  grand, 
Rife  fair  beneath  his  plailic  hand. 
For  genius  fwells  more  ftrong  and  clear; 
When  clofe  confin'd,  like  bottled  beer  : 
So  Prior's  witgain'd  greater  pow'r 
By  infpiration  of  the  tow'r  ; 
And  Raleigh,  faft  in  prifon  hurl'd,        . 
Wrote  all  the  Hift'ry  of  tlie  World  : 
So  Wilkes  grew,  while  in  jail  he  lay, 
More  patriotic  ev'ry  day ; 


V*r 


^l.'•, 


^^U' 


^«-u, 


•  ■■  i  J 


CANTO  IV. 


M^F  IKG  A  L. 


"3 


But  found  his  zeal,  when  not  confinM, 

Soon  fink  below  the  freezing  pointy 

And  public  fpirit,  once  fo  fair, 

Evaporate  in  open  air. 

But  thou,  great  favourite  of  Vemxsy 

By  no  fuch  luck  fhall  cranip  thy  genius ; 

Thy  friendly  ftars,  tiU  wars  ihall  ceafe. 

Shall  ward  th'  ill  fortune  of  releafe. 

And  hold  thee  faft,  in  bonds  iiot  feeble. 

In  good  condition  dill  to  fcribble. 

Such  merit  fate  fhall  (hield  from  firing, 

Bomb,  carcafs,  langridge,  and  cold  iron ; 

Nor  trufts  thy  doubly-laurel'd  head. 

To  rude  aflaults  of  flying  lead. 

Hence,  in  this  Saratogue  retreat. 

For  pure  good  fortune  thou'lt  be  beat ; 

Not  taken  oft,  released  or  refcued, 

Pafs  for  fmall  change,  like  Ample  Prefcott  ;♦ 

But  captur'd  there,  as  fates  befall. 

Shall  ftand  thy  hand  for't,  once  for  all. 

Then  raife  thy  daring  thoughts  fublime. 

And  dip  thy  conquering  pen  in  rhyme, 

And,  changing  war  for  puns  and  jokes, 

Write  new  Blockades,  and  Maids  of  Oaks."f 

*  General  Prefcott  was  taken  and  exchanged  feveral  times 
during  the  war.  , 

t  "  The  Maid  of  the  Oaks,  and  the  Blockade  of  Bofton,  are 
farces — the  firft  acknowledged  by  General  Burgoyne ;  the  oth- 
er generally  afcribed  to  him." 


114 


M*F  I  N  G  A  L. 


CANTO  IV. 


This  faid,  he  turn'd,  and  faw  the  tale 
Had  dy*d  my  trembling  cheeks  with  pale ; 
Then,  pitying,  in  a  milder  vein, 
Purfu'd  the  vifionary  ftrain. 

"  Too  much,  perhaps,  hath  pain'd  yo  ur  views 
Of  vi<5l'ries  gainM  by  rebel  crews  ; 
Now  fee  the  deeds,  not  fmall  nor  fcanty,  '^ 

Of  Britifti  valour  and  human'ty  ;  '  ^  *  T 

And  learn  from  this  aufpicious  iight, 
How  England's  fons  and  friends  can  fight,     ■■'' , , 
In  what  dread  fcenes  their  courage  grows,      "^  *■ 
And  how  they  conquer  all  their  foes."  ^ 

I  look'd,  and  faw,  in  wintry  (kies,      '■'■{  -i  ' 'v    * 
Our  fpacious  prifon-walls  arife,  ' 

Where  Britons  all  their  captives  taming. 
Plied  them,  with  fcourging,  cold,  and  famine  ; 
Reduc'd  to  life's  concluding  ftages, 
By  noxious  food  and  plagues  contagious.       ^ 
Aloft  the  mighty  *  Loring  flood, 

*  Loring  was  a  Refugee  from  Bofton,rnatle  commilTary  of  prif» 
oners  by  General  Howe.  The  confummate  cruelties  pradlifetj 
on  the  American  prifoners  under  Loring's  adminiftration  al* 
moft  exceed  the  ordinary  powers  of  human  invention.  If  a 
fimpic  ftatement  of  fa*Sls  relative  to  this  bufincfs  were  proper- 
ly diawn  up  and  authenticated,  it  would  furnifh  the  friends  of 
.humanity  with  new  images  of  horror  in  contemplating  the  rav- 
ages of  war  ;  efpecially  a  war  that  obtains  the  name  of  rebel- 
lion, and  is  carried  en  at  a  diftance  from  the  eye  of  the  nation. 
Tbe  cordudl  of  the  Turhs  in  f  uttirg  all  prircners  to  death  k 


CANTO  IV. 


M*F  I  N  G  A  L. 


^^5 


And  thriv'd,  like  Vampyre,f  on  their  blood ; 

And  counting  all  his  gains  arifing, 

Dealt  daily  rations  out  of  poifon. 

Amid  the  dead  that  crowd  the  fcenc, 

The  moving  fkeletons  were  feen. 

At  hand  our  troops,  in  vaunting  drains, 

Infulted  all  their  wants  and  pains. 

And  turn'd  on  all  the  dying  tribe, 

The  bitter  taunt  and  fcornful  gibe  :  ; ,, 

And  Britilh  officers  of  might,  v 

Triumphant  at  the  joyful  fight. 

O'er  foes  difurmM,  with  courage  daring, 

Exhaufted  all  their  tropes  of  fvvearing. 

Around  all  flainM  with  rebel  blood, 

Like  Milton's  lazar-houfe  it  flood, 

Where  grim  Defpuir  attended  nurfe. 

And  Death  was  Governor  of  the  houie. 

Amaz'd,  I  cried,  "  Is  this  the  way 

That  Britifli  Valour  wins  the  day  I*' 

certainly  much  more  rational  and  humane,  than  that  of  the 
Britiih  army  hr  the  three  firft  years  of  the  American  war,  or 
till  after  the  capture  of  Burgoyne.  We  except  from  this  gen- 
eral ohfervation,  the  condud  of  Lord  Dorcheflcr  in  Canada  : 
he  a<5led  on  the  common  principles  of  war,  as  now  pradifed 
in  Europe. 

f  "The  notion  of  Vanipyrc'5  is  a  ripcrilition  that  has  great- 
ly prevailed  in  many  parts  of  Europe.  They  pretend  it  Is  a 
dead  body,  which  rifes  out  of  its  grave  in  the  night,  and  fucks 
tbe  blood  of  the  living.'*         .v  - 


ii6 


M^F  I  N  G  A  L. 


CANTO  IV, 


More  had  I  faid,  in  drains  imwelcome^ 

Till  interrupted  thus  by  Malcolm  : 

**  Blame  not,"  quoth  he,  "  but  learn  the  reafon    - 

Of  this  new  mode  of  conquering  treafon. 

*Tis  but  a  wife,  politic  plan,  <     v     : 

To  root  out  all  the  rebel  clan  ;  v     i-         ... 

(For  furely  treafon  ne'er  can  thrive,  .  v.,, .     / 

Where  not  a  foul  is  left  alive  :) 

A  fcheme,  all  other  chiefs  to  Airpafs,  » 

And  do  th*  effectual  work  to  purpofe  ;  : 

For  war  itfelf  is  nothing  further,  '* 

But  th'  art  and  myftery  of  murther. 

And  who  moft  methods  has  eflay'd. 

Is  the  beft  Gen'ral  of  the  trade,  i; 

And  ftands  Death's  Plenipotentiary,        1  j  ' 

To  conquer,  poifon,  ftarve  and  bury. 

This  Howe  v^ell  knew,  and  thus  began, 

(Defpifing  (.Jeton*s  coaxing  plan, 

Who  kep^  K'c  p  is'ners  well  and  merry. 

And  deak  .  b«'in  food  like  CommifFary, 

And  by  paroles  and  ranfoms  vain,    -  , 

DifmifsM  them  all  to  fight  again  :) 

Whence  his  firft  captives,  with  great  fpirit,  - 

He  tied  up  for  his  troops  to  fire  at,* 

And  hop'd  they'd  learn,  on  foes  thus  taken^ 

To  aim  at  rebels  without  fhaking. 

*  "  This  was  done  openly,  and  -without  ccnfure,  by  the  troops 
under  Howe's  command,  in  many  inftances,  on  his  firft  coa- 
qucft  of  Long-Ifland.'* 


CANTO  IV. 


M*  F  I  N  O  A  L. 


H7 


Then,  wife  in  ftratagem,  he  pUnn'd 
The  furc  de(lru<5tion  of  the  land, 
Turn*d  famine,  ficknels,  and  defpair, 
To  ufeful  enginery  of  war, 
Inftead  of  cannon,  muiket,  mortar, 
Us'd  pedilence,  and  death,  and  torture, 
Sent  forth  the  fmall-pox,  and  the  greater. 
To  thin  the  land  of  every  traitor, 
And  ordered  out,  with  like  endeavour, 
Detachments  of  the  prifon-fever  ; 
Spread  dcfolation  o'er  their  head. 
And  plagues  in  Providence's  ftead, 
Perform'd  with  equal  (kill  and  beauty,  . 
Th*  avenging  angePs  tour  of  duty, 
Brought  all  the  elements  to  join, 
And  ftars  t'  affift  the  great  defign ; 
As  once  in  league  with  Kiflion's  brook, 
Fam'd  IfraePs  foes  they  fought  and  took. 
Then  proud  to  raife  a  glorious  name, 
And  em'lous  of  his  country's  fame, 
He  bade  thefe  prifon-walls  arife. 
Like  temple   tow'ring  to  the  fkies. 
Where  Britifli  clemency  renown'd, 
Might  fix  her  feat  on  facred  ground  ; 
(That  virtue,  as  e^ch  herald  faith,        -.j  i 
Of  whole  blood  kin  to  Punic  faith  ;) 
Where,  all  her  godlike  pow'rs  unveiling, 
She  finds  a  grateful  fhrine  to  dwell  in. 
Then,  at  this  altar  for  her  honour, 


ii8 


M'r  I  N  G  A  L. 


CANTO  IV. 


Chofe  this  High  Prieft  to  wait  upon  her. 

Who,  with  juft  rites,  in  ancient  guifes, 

Prefents  thefc  human  facrifices  ; 

Great  Loring,  fam*d  above  all  laymen,      W    : 

A  proper  Prieft  for  Lybian  Ammon,  i 

Who,  while  Howe's  gift  his  brows  adorns,      ■ 

Had  match'd  that  deity  in  horns. 

Here  ev*ry  day  her  vot'ries  tell,  . 

She  more  devours  than  th*  idol  Bel ; 

And  thirfts  more  rav'noully  for  gore. 

Than  any  v/orfliipp'd  Power  before.  - 

That  ancient  Heathen  Godhead,  ,Moloch, 

Oft  ftayM  his  ftomach  with  a  bullock,    . 

Or  if  his  morning  rage  you'd  check  firft. 

One  child  fuffic'd  him  for  a  breakfali. 

But  Britilh  clemency,  with  zeal. 

Devours  her  hundreds  at  a  meal  j  ; 

Right  \yell  by  Nat'ralifts  defin'd,  ' 

A  being  of  carniy'rous  kind : 

So  erft  *  Gargantau  pleas'd  his  palate, 

And  ate  his  pilgrims  up  for  fallad. 

Not  bleft  with  maw  lefs  ceremonious. 

The  wide-mouth  whale  that  fwallowM  Jonas  ; 

Like  eartliquake  gapes,  to  death  devote,    .      / 

That  open  iepulchre,  her  throat ;       -  --     'u>  ' 

The  grave,  or  barren  womb  you'd  ftufF,     t.  .- 

And  fooner  bring  to  cry,  enough  ; 

«  *  See  Rabelalb's  Hiftory  of  the  Giant  Gargantau.'* 


CANTO  IV, 


M^F  I  N  G  A  L, 


M9 


■    .1    T.-( 


Or  fatten  up  to  fair  condition, 

The  lean-fleOi'd  klne  of  Pharaoh's  vifion^ 

**  Behold  her  temple,  where  it  ftands     r*. 
Ereft  by  fam'd  Britannic  hands ; 
'Tis  the  bl?.ck  hole  of  Indian  ftrudure,      ,, 
New  built  with  Englifli  architedure,     .. 
On  plan,  'tis  faid,  contrived  and  wrote     '  j - 
By  Clive,  before  he  cut  his  throat ; 
Who,  ere  he  took  himfelf  in  hand, 
Was  her  Higli-PrieH:  in  nabob-land  i 
And  when,  with  conqu'ring  glory  crown'd. 
He'd  well  enflav'd  the  jiation  round. 
With  pitying  heart,  the  gen'rous  chief, 
;(  Since  flav'ry's  worfe  than  lofs  of  life,) 
Bade  defblation  circle  iar,  ;v 

And  famine  end  the  work  of  war ; 
Thus  loos*d  their  chains,  and  for  their  merits, 
Difmifs'd  them  free  to  worlds  of  fpirits  ; 
Whence  they,  with  gratitude  and  praife,  ■..*,/ 

^eturn'd,f  t'  attend  his  latter  days,  ^-^    .,,^^ 

And,  hov'ring  round  his  reftlefs  bed, 
Spread  nightly  vifions  o'er  his  head.  ,   , 

"  Now  turn,"  he  cried,  "  to  nobler  fights, 
And  mark  the  prowefs  of  our  fights : 
Behold,  like  whelps  of  Britilh  lion,  "^ 

The  warriors,  Clinton,  Vaughan,  and  Tryon, 

t  "  Ciive,  in  the  latter  years  of  his  life,  conceived  himf-'lf  per- 
petually hau:nc:l  by  the  ghofts  of  thofe,  who  were  the  vidini^ 
rf)f  hi*  Britiili  humanity  in  the  Lail-Indles."    • 


/;■ 


••t    ♦¥»:".  ■ 


*■ 


116 


M*F  IN  G  A  L. 


CANTO  IV. 


March  forth  with  patriotic  joy, 

To  ravifli,  plunder,  burn,  deftroy. 

Great  gen'rals,  foremoft  in  the  nation,  • 

The  journeymen  of  Defolation  ! 

Like  Samfon's  foxes,  each  aflails,  '* 

Let  loofe  with  firebrands  in  their  tails,  '''■'■  ' '- 

And  fp reads  deftrudlion  more  forlorn,  "'*  ^  .    ^ 

Than  they  did  in  Philiftine  corn.   -     -  -      ,.  '  ! 

And  fee  !  in  flames  their  triumphs  rife,         *,• 

Illuming  all  the  nether  fkies,  ^  *j  " 

And  ftreaming,  like  a  new  Aurora, '^'^    ^        . 

The  weftern  hemifphere  with  glory  !      - 

What  towns,  in  afhes  laid,  confeis  ;   f 

Thefe  heroes'  prowels  and  fuccefs !     ^     -  ^  ^  ^ 

What  blackened  walls,  or  burning  fane, 

For  trophies  fpread  the  ruin'd  plain  !  * 

What  females,  caught  in  evil  hour, 

By  force  fubmit  to  Britifh  pow'r,  '    ^ 

Or  plundered  negroes,  in  difafter, 

Confefs  King  George  their  Lord  and  Mafter  ! 

What  crimfon  corfes  'ftrew  their  way. 

Till  fmoking  carnage  dims  the  day  ! 

Along  the  fhore,  forfure  reduction, 

They  wield  their  befom  of  deftrudion,  ' 

Great  Homer  likens,  in  his  Ilias, 

To  dog-ftar  bright  the  fierce  Achilles  ; 

But  ne'er  beheld,  in  red  proceflion. 

Three  dog-ftars  rife  in  conftellaticn  ;  * 


CANTO  IV. 


M*F  I  NG  AL. 


X2I 


Or  faw  in  glooms  of  ev*ning  mifty, 
Such  iigns  of  fiery  triplic'ty, 
Which,  far  beyond  the  comet's  tail, 
Portend  deftruAion  where  they  fail. 
Oh  !  had  Great-Britain's  godlike  (hore 
Produc'd  but  ten  fuch  heroes  more, 
TJiey'd  fpar'd  the  pains,  and  held  the  ftation 
Of  this  world's  final  conflagration. 
Which,  when  its  time  comes,  at  a  (land. 
Would  find  its  work  all  done  t*  its  hand  ! 

"  Yet  though  gay  hopes  our  eyes  may  blefs, 
Indignant  fate  forbids  fuccefs  ; 
Like  morning  dreams,  our  conqueft  flies, 
Difpers'd  before  the  dawn  arife." 

Here  Malcolm  paused  ;  when,  pond'ring  long. 
Grief  thus  gave  utterance  to  my  tongue  : 

"  Where  (hrink  in  fear  our  friends  difmay'd. 
And  all  the  Tories' promis'd  aid  ? 
Can  none,  amid  thefe  fierce  alarms,        .    ;^ 
Affift  the  pow'r  of  royal  arms  ?" 

"  In  vain,"  he  cried,  "  our  King  depends 
On  promised  aid  of  Tory-friends. 
When  our  own  efforts  \^ant  fuccefs. 
Friends  ever  fail,  as  fears  increafe. 
As  leaves  in  blooming  verdure  wove. 
In  warmth  of  fummer  clothe  the  grove ; 
But  when  autumnal  frofts  arife, 
Leave  bare  tjieir  trunks  to  wintry  fkies ; 


,^^. 


0  i^\ 


nr 


I  '?f 


1| 


122 


CANTO  IV- 


■vi  - 

So  while  your  pow*r  can  aid^  their  end^,        "    * 

You  ne*er  can  need  ten'tHouiaTK}  friends  ;         *  -' 

But,  once  in  want,  hf  focis  diftttay^d^ 

May  advertife  them'  ftoPh  or  ftray'di  ' 

Thus,  ere  Great  Britain's  ftrength  grew  flack. 

She  gain*d  that  aid  flie  did  not  lack  ; 

But  now  in  dread,  imploring  pity. 

All  hear,  unmov'd,  her  dol'rons  ditty  ; 

Allegiance  wand'ring  turns  afliray, 

And  Faith  grows  dim  for  lack  of  pay. 

In  vain  ftie  tries  by'  new  inventions. 

Fear,  falfehood,  flatt'ry,  threats  and  pendons  ; 

Or  fends  Commifs'ners  with  credentials*' 

Of  promifes  and  penitentiak. 

*  The  paifage  ttiat  here  follows  is  to  be  explained  thus :  In- 
the  year  1778,  adctr  the  war  had  been  raging  three  years,  and 
the  capture  tit  Burgoyne's  army  was  known  in  England,  the 
Britifh  government  cotichided  to  give  up  all  the  objedts  for 
which  the  conteil  had  been  begun.  It  accordingly  paffed  an 
aft  repealing  all  ihe  ads  of  which  tlie  Americans  complained^ 
provided  we  would  refcind  our  declaration  of  independence, 
and  continue  to  be  their  Colonies.  The  MinHh-y  then  fent 
over  three  commiflioners,  Mr.  Johpftone^Mr.  Eden,  and  Lord 
Carliflc.  Thefc  comminioners  began  their  operations,  and  fin- 
ifhed  them  by  attempting  to  bribe  individuals  among  the 
members  of  the  States^  and  of  the  army.  This'bait  appears  te 
have  caught  nobody  but  Arnold.  The pittkoated politician yhtrt 
mentioned,  is  a  woman  of  Philadelphia,  (and  a  lady  of  confid* 
erablc  diftinftion)  through  whofe  agency  they  offered  .a  bribe 
to  Jofeph  Read,  Governor  of  Pennfylvania. 


CANTO  IV. 


AI^JING  At. 


As,  for  his  fare  o'er  Styx  of  old,  ;.    ^ 

The  Trojan  ftole  the  bough  of  gold  ; 
And,  led  grim  Cerb'rus  Ihould  make  head, 
Stuff'd  both  his  fobs  with  *  gingerbread. 
Behold,  at  Britain's  utmoft  fhifts,  ^  ^ 

Comes  Johnftone,  loaded  with  like  gifts. 
To  venture  through  the  Whiggifti  tribe. 
To  cuddle,  wheedle,  coax,  and  bribe. 
Enter  their  lands,  and  on  his  journeys  ^   > 
Poflefllon  take,  as  King's  attorney ; 
Buy  all  the  vaflals  to  prote(ft  him. 
And  bribe  the  tenants  not  t*  eje^it  him  ;. 
And  call,  to  aid  his  defp^rate  miflion. 
His  petticoated  politician  ; 
While  Venus,  joined  t'  afllft  the  farce, 
Strolls  forth  ambaflador  for  Mars. 
In  vain  he  ftrives,  (for  while  he  lingers,, 
Thefe  maftiffs  bite  his  oflF'ring  fingers,) 
Nor  buys  for  George  and  realms  infernalr 
One  fpaniel,  but  the  mongrel  Arnold. 
'Twere  vain  to  paint  in  vifion'd  Qiow^      ^i 
The  mighty  nothings  done  by  Howe  ; 
What  towns  he  takes  in  mortal  fray. 
As  ftations,  whence  to  run  away  ; 
What  conquefts  gain*d  in  battles  warm,. 
To  us  no  aid,  to  them  no  harm  ; 
For  ftill  th'  event  alike  is  fatal, 


123 


'Mcdicatam  frugibus  offam.     -ffinekl,  lib.  vi.  410. 


% 


124. 


M'F  IN  G  AL. 


CANTO  IV, 


Whate'er  fuccefs  attend  the  battle;  - 

If  he  gain  victory,  or  lofe  it,  •   ' 

Who  ne*er  had  fkill  enough  to  ufe  it ; 

And  better 'twere,  at  their  expenfe, 

T'  have  drubbed  him  into  common  fenfe^ 

And  wak*d,  by  baftings  on  his  rear, 

Th'  a(5tivity,  though  but  of  fear. 

By  flow  advance  his  arms  prevail. 

Like  embleril|tic  march  of  fnail ; 

That,  be  Milleiuiium  nigh  or  far,  / 

'Twould  long  before  him  end  the  war. 

From  York  to  Philadelphian  ground, 

He  fweeps  the  mighty  flourifli  round, 

Wheel'd  circular  by  eccentric  ftars, 

Hjce  racing  boys  at  prifon-bars  ;* 

Who  take  the  adverfe  crew  in  whole, 

By  running  round  the  opp'fite  goal ; 

Works  wide  the  traverfe  of  his  courfc. 

Like  Ihip  in  ftorms*  oppoiing  force  ; 

Like  mill-horfe,  circling  in  his  race. 

Advances  not  a  ilngle  pace. 

And  leaves  no  trophies  of  reduftion. 

Save  that  of  canker-worms,  deftrudion. 

*  Prifon'bars  is  a  kind  of  juvenile  conteft,  fufliciently  Jjfcri- 
ted  here.  How  far  our  author  is  juftifiable  in  comparing  to 
it  the  operations  of  General  Howe  in  America,  is  left  to  be 
determined  by  thofe  military  men  who  know  the  hiftory  of 
bis  manoeuvres.    ^       »    Av  -* 


CANTO  IV. 


M*  F  1  N  G  A  L. 


125 


Thus,  having  long  both  countries  curft^ 
He  quits  them,  as  he  found  them  fir(l» 
Steers  home  difgrac*d,  of  little  worth. 
To  join  Burgoyne,  and  rail  at  North. 

"  Now  raife  thine  eyes,  and  view  with  pleafure^ 
The  triumphs  of  his  famM  fucceflbr." 

I  looked,  and  now  by  magic  lorcj  >    > 

Faint  rofe  to  view  the  Jerfey  ihore  ; 
But  dimly  feen,  in  glooms  arrayM,       ^^ 
For  Night  had  pour*d  hsr  fable  ftiade,. 
And  ev'ry  ftar,  with  glimnri*rings  pale,. 
Was  muffled  deep  in  evening  veil : 
Scarce  vifible  in  dufky  night, 
Advancing  Red-Coats*  role  to  fight;  h 
The  lengthen'd  train,  in  gleaming  rowsf 
Stole  filent  from  their  flumb'ring  foes  ; 
Slow  mov*d  tlie  baggage,  and  the  train,. 
Like  fnails,  crept  noifelefs  o*er  the  plain  ; 
No  trembling  foldier  dar*d  to  fpeak, 
And  not  a  wheel  prefumM  to  creak. 
My  looks  my  new  furprife  confefs'd,. 
Till  by  great  Malcolm  thus  addrefs'd  : 
<*  Spend  not  thy  wits  in  vain  refearches  ;.         .   .1 
'Tis  one  of  Clinton's  mooiilight  marches. 
From  Philadelphia  now  retreating,  ^ 

To  fave  his  anxious  troops  a  beating,. 
With  hafly  ftride  he  flies  in  vain,  ,• 

His  rear  attacked  on  Monmouth  .plaia  :^  1   , 

*  Red' Coat  ft  a  term  for  Britiih  troops. 


'.  *■ -■ 


V- 


226 


M*  F  r  N  G  A  L. 


CANTO  m 


With  various  chance  the  mortal  fray    ;  • 
Is  lengthen*d  to  the  clofc  of  day, 
When  his  tir'd  bands,  o'ermatch'd  in  fight». 
Are  refcu'd  by  defcending  night, 
He  forms  his  camp  with  vain  parade, 
Till  evening  fpreads  the  world  with  fhade» 
Then  ftill,  like  fome  endangered  fpark. 
Steals  off  on  tiptoe  m  the  dark  ; 
Yet  writes  his  king,  in  boafting  tone. 
How  grand  he  march'd  by  light  of  moon.* 
I  fee  him,  but  thou  canft  not ;  proud 
He  leads  in  front  the  trembling  crowd,, 
And  wifely  knows,  if  danger's  near,, 
^fwill  fall  the  heavicft  on  his  rear. 
Go  on,  great  Gen'ral,  nor  regard 
The  feoffs  of  ev*ry  fcribWing  bard,. 
Who  fmg  how  Gods  that  fatal  night 
Aided  by  miracles  your  flight. 
As  once  they  us'd,  in  Homer*s  day,, 
To  help  weak  heroes^  run  away  ; 
Tell  how  the  hours  at  awful  trial. 
Went  back,  as  erft  on  Ahaz'  dial. 
While  Britiih  Jolhua  ftayM  the  moon^, 
On  Monmouth  plains,  for  Ajalon  : 

*  The  circumftance  of  Gen.  Clinton's  official  difpatcliea, 
giving  an  account  of  his  marching  from  Monmouth  by  moon- 
light, furniflied  a  fubjeft  of  fome  pleafantry  in  America ;  where 
it  was  known  that  i\kc  moon  had  fet  two  hours  before  the 
mareh  began. 


CANTO  ly. 


M'FIN  G  AL. 


I3JP 


tches, 
noon- 
vhere 
e  the 


Heed  not  their  fneers  and  gibes  fo  arcky 
Becaufe  ihe  fet  before  your  march. 
A  fmall  mi  (lake,  your  meaning  right. 
You  take  her  influence  for  her  light ; 
Her  influence,  which  (hall  be  your  guide. 
And  o'er  your  Gen'ralfhip  prefide. 
Hence  ftill  Ihall  teem  your  empty  fkull. 
With  vi(a*ries  when  the  moon's  at  full. 
Which  by  tranfition  yet  more  flrange. 
Wane  to  defeats  before  the  change  ; 
Hence  all  your  movements,  all  your  notionfi» 
Shall  fleer  by  like  eccentric  motions, 
Eclips'd  in  many  a  fatal  criiis, 
And  dimmed  when  Wafliington  arifes. 

And  fee  how  fate  herfelf,  turned  traitor, 
Inverts  the  ancient  courfe  of  nature, 
And  changes  manners,  tempers,  climes,     ,  ^ 
To  fuit  the  genius  of  the  times. 
^e6  Bourbon  forms  his  gtn'rous  plan, 
Firft  guardian  of  the  rights  of  man, 
And  prompt  in  firm  alliance  joins,      ^    ^  .  .y. 
To  aid  the  Rebels'  proud  deftgns*  r  (•,*:, .n 
Behold  from  Tealms  of  eaftern  day. 
His  fails  innum'rous  (hape  their  way,  ^ 
In  warlike  line  the  billows  fweep,  ,  ;,^ 

And  roll  the  thunders  of  the  deep.    >   ^ ; 
See,  low  in  equinoftial  ikies, 
The  Weftera  Iflands  fall  their  prize.     • 


128 


M*F  I  N  G  A  L, 


CANTO  IV. 


"Sec  Brliifli  flags  o'ermatch'd  in  might,     • 
Put  all  their  faith  in  inftant  flight ;        .     i-^ 
Or  broken  fquadrons  from  th*  affray, 
Drag  flow  their  wounded  hulks  away. 
Behold  his  chiefs  in  daring  fets, 
DTdaings,  De  Grafles,  and  Fayettes, 
Spread  through  our  camps  their  dread  alarms, 
And  fwell  the  fears  of  rebel-arms.  • 

Yet,  ere  our  empire  link  in  night, 
'One  gleam  of  hope  fliall  ftrike  the  fight ; 
As  lamps  that  fail  of  oil  and  Are, 
'Colled  one  glimmVing  to  expire. 
And  lo  !  where  fouthern  fliores  extend, 
Behold  our  union*d  hofts  defcend,      ' 
Where  Charleftown  views,  with  varying  beams, 
Her  turrets  gild  th*  encircling  (Irean*:,. 
There,  by  fuperior  might  conipelPd,  .^ 

Behold  their  gallant  Lincoln  yield,* 
Nor  aught  the  wreaths  avail  him  now,  ' 

Pluck'd  from  Burgoyne's  imperious  brow. 
See,  furious  from  the  vanquilhM  ftrand, 
<^orwallis  leads  his  mighty  band  ! 

*  General  Lincoln  was  ferond  in  command  in  the  army  of 
General  Gates,  during  the  campaign  of  1777,  which  ended  in 
'the  capture  of  General  Burgoyne.  He  is  an  officer  of  great 
reputation.  He  afterwards  commanded  the  army  in  South- 
<^arolina,  and  was  taken  prifoner  with  the  garrifon  of  Charlef- 
itown  m  1 780. 


CANTO  IV. 


M*FIN  GAL, 


129 


The  fouthern  realms  and  Georgian  (hore 

Submit,  and  own  the  vigor's  powV. 

Lo,  funk  before  his  wafting  way, 

The  Carolinas  fall  his  prey  ! 

In  vain  embattled  hofts  of  foes  .' 

Eflay  in  warring  ftrife  t*  oppofe. 

See,  fhrinking  from  his  conquering  eye, 

The  rebel  legions  fall  or  fly  ; 

And,  withering  in  thcfc  torrid  (kies, 

The  northern  laurel  fades  and  dies.* 

With  rapid  force  he  leads  his  band 

To  fair  Virginia's  fated  llrand, 

Triumphant  eyes  the  travellM  zone,  « 

And  boafts  the  fouthern  realms  his  own* 

Nor  yet  this  hero's  glories  bright 

Blaze  only  in  the  fields  of  fight ; 

Not  Howe's  human* ty  more  defervingi 

J n  gifts  of  hanging,  and  of  ftarving ; 

Not  Arnold  plunders  more  tobacco, 

Or  fteals  more  negroes  for  Jamaica  ;f 

*  This  refers  to  the  fortune  of  General  Gates,  who,  aftwr  haii^i 
ing  conquered  General  Burgoyne  in  the  North,  was  defeated 
by  Lord  Cornwallis  in  the  South.   ^ 

f  Arnold,  in  the  year  1781,  haying  been  converted  tothe 
caufe  of  Great-Britain,  commanded  a  detachment  of  their 
army  in  Virginia;  where  he  plundered  many  cargoes  of  hoi^ 
groes  andx)f  tobacco,  and  fent  them  to  Jamaica  for  his  own 
account.     How  far  the  Lords  Rodney  and  Corrtwalli^  might 

R 


130 


II^F  I  N  G  A  L* 


CANTO  IV. 


Scarce  Rodney's  felf,  among  th'  Euftatians, 

Infults  fo  well  the  laws  of  nations ; 

Ev'n  Tryon's  fame  grows  dim,  and  mourning* 

He  yields  the  laurel  crown  of  burning,      y. 

I  fee  with  rapture  and  furprife,  v  , 

New  triumphs  fparkling  in  thine  eyes; 

But  view,  where  now  renewM  in  mighty 

Again  the  rebels  dare  the  fight." 
I  look'd,  and  far  in  fouthem  (kies. 

Saw  Greene,  their  fecond  hope,  arife,  . 

And  with  his  fmall  but  gallant  bandi 

Invade  the  Carolinian  land.  ; 

As  winds,  in  ftormy  circles  whirl*d, 

Kufli  billowing  o'er  the  darkened  world, 
And,  where  their  wafting  fury  roves, 
Succeflive  fweep  th*  aftohifh'd  groves. 
Thus  where  he  pours  the  rapid  fight. 
Our  boafted  conqucds  fink  in  night,       . 
And  wide  o'er  all  th*  extended  field, 
Our  forts  refign,  our  armies  yield, 
Till,  now  regained  the  vanquifii'd  land. 
He  lifts  his  ftandard  on  the  (Irand. 

Again  to  fair  Virginia's  coaft, 
I  turn'd  and  view'd  the  Britifti  hoft. 
Where  Chefapeak's  wide  waters  lave 
Her  (hores,  and  join  th*  Atlantic  wave. 

have  excelled  him  in  this  kind  of  heroic  achiercmcnts,  time 
will  perhaps  never  difcover.  . 


CANTO  IV. 


M^  F  I  N  G  A  L. 


'3' 


There  fam'd  Cornwallts  tow'ring  rofc, 
And  fcorri'd  fecure  his  diilant  foes  ; 
His  bands  the  haughty  rampart  raife^ 
And  bid  the  royal  ftandard  blaze. 
When  lo,  where  ocean's  bounds  extend, 
I  faw  the  Gallic  fails  afcend. 
With  fkv'i-ing  breezes  ftem  their  way, 
And  crowd  with  (hips  the  fpacious  bay. 
Lo,  Waihington,  from  northern  ihores, 
O'er  many  a-  region,  wheels  his  force. 
And  Rochambeau,  with  legions,  bright, 
Defcends  in  terrors  to  the  fight. 
Not  fwifter  cleaves  his  rapid  way. 
The  eagle  cow'ring  o'er  his  prey,     ^ 
Or  knights  in  foni'd  romance  that  fly 
On  fairy  pinions  through  the  fky. 
Amazed,  the  Briton's  (iartlcd  pride 
Sees  ruin«  wake  on  ev'ry  fide  ; 
And,  all  his  troops  to  fate  confign'd,. 
By  inftantaneous  ftroke  Burgoyn'd. 
Not  Cadmus  view'd  with  more  furprlfe,; 
From  earth  embattled  armies  rife,       ? 
Whcti,  by  fuperior  pow*r  impelPdj 
He  fow*d  with  dragon's  teeth  the  field. 
Here  Gallic  troops  in  terror  (land,       • 
There  ruQi  in  arms  the  Rebel  band  ; 
Nor  hope  remains  from  mortal  fight,. 
Or  that  lafl  Bri:iih  refage,  flight. 


132 


M*F  IN  G  AL. 


CANTQ  XV, 


,ji-ii  ■*■ 


•Wr*"-.  iiV- 


I  faw,  with  looks  downcaft  and  gravt, 
The  Chief  emerging  from  his  cave,* 
(Where,  chac'd  like  hare  in  mighty  rounds 
Hi§  hunters  earthM  him  firft  in  ground,) 
And,  doom'd  by  Fate  to  rebtl  fw^y. 
Yield  all  his  captur'd  hods  a  prey. 

There,  while  I  view'd  the  vanquifh'd  towJi, 
Thus  with  a  figh  my  friend  went  on  : 
^*  Behold*ft  thou  not  that  band  forlorn, 
Like  ilaves  in  Roman  triumphs  borne ; 
Their  faces  lengthening  with  their  fears, 
And  cheeks  diftain*d  with  ftreams  of  tears> 
Like  dramatis  perfona  fage, 
Equipt  to  a(5t  on  Tyburn's  ftage  ?  =;^ 

Lo,  thefeare  they,  who,  lur'd  by  follies, 
Left  all  and  followed  great  Cornwallis  ; 
True  to  their  King,  with  firm  devotion,     ,r^  > 
For  confcience  lake,  and  hop'd  promotion,     ?-  ,  i, 
Expe(5lant  of  the  promised  glories,  ^  i;  ^  /^ 

And  new.  Millennial  (late  o*  Tories.  ^^     .v      : 

Alas  !  in  vain,  all  doubts  forgetting,  -;  *  ?       I 

They  tried  th*  omnipotence  of  Britain  ; 
But  found  her  arm,  once  ftrong  and  brave. 
So  fhorteii'd  now  ihe  cannot  fave. 
Not  more  aghaft  departed  fouls. 
Who  rifk*d  their  fate  on  Popilh  bulls, 

♦  "  Alluding  to  the  well-known  fa<5l  of  Cornwallis's  tak- 
ing up  his  refidence  In  a  cave,  during  the  fiege  of  Yctktown.** 


m 


CANTO  IV. 


M'F  I  N  G  A  L. 


^3a 


And  find  St.  Peter  at  the  wicket 
Refufe  to  counterfign  their  ticket, 
When  driv'n  to  purgatory  back. 
With  all  their  pardons  in  their  pack  : 
Than  Tories  muft'ring  at  their  ftationt 
On  faith  of  royal  proclamations* 
As  Pagan  Chiefs  at  ev'ry  crifis, 
Confirm'd  their  leagues  by  facrilices. 
And  herds  of  beads  to  all  their  deities,. 
Oblations  fell  at  clofe  of  treaties  : 
Cornwallis  thus,  in  ancient  faftiion. 
Concludes  his  league  of  capitulation, 
And  vidims,  due  to  Rebel  glories, 
Gives  this  fin-offVing  up  of  Tories. 
See  where,  relieved  from  fad  embargo. 
Steer  off  confign'd  a  recreant  cargo. 
Like  old  fcape-g'oats  to  roam  in  pain, 
Mark'd  like  their  great  forerunner,  Cain. 
The  reft,  now  doomed  by  Britilh  leagues. 
To  juftice  of  refentful  Whigs, 
Hold  worthlefs  lives  on  tenure  ill. 
Of  tenancy  at  Rebel-will, 
While  hov'ring  o'er  their  forfeit  ptrfons, 
The  gallows  waits  his  fure  reverfions. 

"  Thou  too,  M*Fingal,  ere  that  day, 
Shalt  tafte  the  terrors  of  th*  affray. 
See  !  o'er  thee  hangs  in  angry  fkies. 
Where  Whiggiih  conftellations  rife. 


IJ4 


M*FIN  G  A  E. 


G'ANTO'  I  V» 


And  while  plebeian  iigns  afcend. 
Their  mob-infpiring  afpe<5ls  bend^ 
That  baleful  Star,  whofe  *  horrid  hair 
Shakes  forth  the  plagues  of  down  and  tar  !' 
I  fee  the  polej  that  rears  on  high  ^ 

Its  flag  terrific  through  the  iky ; 
The  mob  beneath  prepared  t*  attack,        v 
And  tar  prededin'd  for  thy  back  !  r ' 

Ah  !  quit,  my  friend,  this  dang'rous  home,^ 
Nor  wait  the  darker  fcenes-to  come  ;.     ,       * 
For  know  that  Fate's  aufpicio us  door, 
Once  fhut  to  flight,  is  op'd  no  more. 
Nor  wears  its  hinge  by  various  Rations, 
Like  Mercy's  door  in  proclamations.! 

"  But  left  thou  paufe^  or  doubt  to  fly,, 
To  ftranger  vifions  turn  thine  eye  : 
Each  cloud  that  dimm'd  thy  mental  ray,. 
And  all  the. mortal  mifts  decay  ;  ,    .' 


« ((. 


From  his  horrid  hair 


Milton; 


Shakes  peftilence  and  war." 

•f  7ke  door  of  mercy  is  now  open ^  and  tUe  door  of  mercy  ivlll  he"^, 
Jhuty  were,  phrafes  fo  often  ufed  in   the  proclamations  of  the  ! 
Britdih  Generals  in  America,  that  our  Poet  fcems  to  fear  that 
the  hinge  of  that  door  will  be  worn  out.     A  general  collec-  • 
tion  oi  thefe  proclamations,  or  an  abridgment  of  them  com- 
prifed  in  a  few  volumes,  would  form  a  curious  fyftem  of  rhef- 
orical  tallies ;  which-  might  be  of  great  utility  to  the  French  ^ 
emigrant  princes,  and  to  thofc  potentates  of  Europe,  who  arc  | 
going  to  fubdue  the  fpirit  of  Liberty  in  France.  If 


CANTO  tV. 


M*J  I.NG  AI^ 


US 


Sec  more  than  human  Pow'rs  befriendf 
And  IQ9  their  hoilile  forms  afcend! 
.^ee,  tow'ring  o'er  th'  extended  ftrandi 
The  Genius  of  the  weilern  land, 
Jn  vengeance  armM,.his  fwordaflumes, 
And  (lands,  like  Tories,  dreft  in  plumes. 
See,  o'er  yon  Council  feat  with  pride» 
How  Freedom  fpreads  her  banners:  wide  J 
There  Patriotifm  with  torch  addrefs'd, 
To  fire  with  zeal jcach daring  bread!    , 
While  all  the  Virtues  in  tlieir  band« 
£fcape  from  yon  unfriendly  land, 
X)efert  their  ancient  Britiih  ftation, 
PoiTefs'd  with  rage  of  emigration. 
Honour,  his  bufmefs  at  a  ftand, 
•For  fear  of  ftarving,  quits  the  land  ; 
And  Juftice,  long  difgrac'd  at  Court,  had 
.By  Mansfield's  fentence  been  tranfported. 
Vidl'ry  and  Fame  attend  their  way,' 
Though  Britain  wifti  their  longer  ftay, 
Care  not  what  George  or  North  would  be  at» 
Nor, heed  their  writs  of. »^  exeat  ; 
But,  fir'd  with  love  of  colonizing, 
^<^it  the  faU'n  empire  for  the  riling.' 

I  look'd,  and  faw,  with  horror  fmitten, 
Thefe  hoftile  powers  averfe  to  Britain. 
When  lo  !  an  awful  fpe<ftre  rofe. 
With  lanj;uid  palenei£  oniiis  brow«.: 


# 


l^i^ 


M'  F  I  N  O  A  L. 


CANTO  IV* 


..fc*-.  V^  U       .yU  !"^'*»- 


Wan  dropfies  fwell'd  his  form  beneath, 

And  ic'd  his  bloiited  cheeks  with  death  ; ' 

His  tatterM  robe   eKpos'd  him  bare, 

To  ev*ry  blaft  of  ruder  air  ; 

On  two  weak  crutches  propped,  he  ftood^ ' 

That  bent  at  ev'ry  ftep  he  trod  ; 

•Gilt  titles  grac'd  their  fides  io  (lender, 

One,  "  Regulation,"  t'other,  **  Tender  ;** 

His  bread-plate  gnivM  with  various  dattjs, 

""The  faith  of  all  th'  United  States :" 

Before  him  went  his  fun'n^l  pall  ; 

His  grave  (lood  dag  to  wait  his  {j,]],     ^' 

I  darted,  and  aghaft  I  crv'd, 

"  What  means  this  fpe(5lre  at  their  fide  ? 

What  danger  from  a  Pow'r  fo  vain. 

And  why  he  joins  that  fplcndid  train  ?** 

"Alas!"  great  Malcolm  cry'd,  "experience 
"Might  teach  you  not  to  truft  appearance. 
Here  (lands,  as  drefl  by  fierce  Bellona,  f''^ 

The  ghoft  of  Continental  Money,  ;/* 

Of  dame  Neceffity  delcended,         '  ■  i*-^  i  >;^^s 
With  whom  Credulity  engendered; 
71yu^}  lMi|  Vfith  conftitution  frail, 
Xnd  fecb^BpB^th  that  foon  rauft  fail ; 
Yet  ftratlgifly  vers'd  in  magic  lore. 
And  gifted  with  transforming  pow*r. 
His  (kill  the  wealth  Peruvian  joins 
WTth  diamonds  of  Brazilian  mifies. 


'M. 


0  .v^-^  *  ,iv  .-^  ',£ 


m 


t 


CANTO  nr. 


M*  P  I  N  O  A  L, 


137 


As  erft  Jove  fell,  by  fubtle  wiles, 

On  Danae's  apron  through  the  tiles» 

In  fhow'rs  of  gold :  his  potent  hand 

Shalt  fhed  like  fhow'rs  through  all  the  land. 

Lefs  great  the  magic  art  was  reckon'd| 

Of  tallies  cad  by  Charles  the  Second, 

Or  Law's  fam'd  Mifliiippi  fchemes, 

Or  all  the  wealth  of  South-Sea  dreaim . 

For  he,  of  all  the  world  alone. 

Owns  the  long-fought  Philosopher's  Stone, 

Reftores  the  fab'lous  times  to  view, 

And  proves  the  tale  of  Midas  true. 

O'er  heaps  of  rags  he  waves  his  wand. 

All  turn  to  gold  at  his  command. 

Provide  for  prefent  wants  and  future, 

Raife  armies,  victual,  clothe,  accoutre. 

Adjourn  our  conqueils  by  efToigne, 

Check  Howe's  advance,  and  take  Burgoyne, 

Then  make  all  days  of  payment  vain, 

And  turns  all  back  to  rags  again. 

In  vain  great  Howe  (hall  play  his  part. 

To  ape  and  counterfeit  his  art ; 

In  vain  (hall  Clinton,  more  belated, 

A  conj'rer  turn  to  imitate  it ; 

with  like  ill  luck  and  pow'r  as  narrow. 

They'll  fare,  like  forc'rers  of  old  Pharaoh, 

Who,  though  the  art  they  underftood, 

Of  turning  rivers  into  blood. 


n^ 


M.*FIN  O  AL.. 


CANTO  JV. 


And  caus'd  their  frogs  aod  fnatie^  t'  ^x^Uit 
That  with  fome  mfirit  ccoak'd  ajxd  hifai'dy 
Yet  ne'er,  by  ev'ry  quaiuit  dpwtp. 
Could  frame  thft  traa  Il^ofaic  lice. 
He  for  the  Wtiigs<  his  ar>tfi  Audi  try. 
Their  firft,  and  hxag  theiv  fole  dXty: ; 
A  patriot  firm,  while  bvoath  he  draw^. 
He'll  perifh  ia  his  country's  caufe  ; 
And  when  his  magic  labours  ceaie. 
Lie  bury 'd.  tn  eternal  peaue. 

♦«  Now  vkw  the  fcenes  in  future  hours. 
That  wait  the  fam^d  European  Pow'rs. 
^ee4  where  yon  chalky  diffs  arifc, 

he  hills  of  Britain  ftrike  your  ay^s  t 
Ifi  fmall  extenfiion  long  iupply'd 
By  vaft  immenflty  of  pride  j  t  <>; 

So  fmall,  that  had  iJj  fbund  «  (l^ion    .  ^■ 
In  this  new  world  at  fi;i;().  cteatia9» 
Or  were  by  Juijiae  dpQp^'4.  IP  fuftr,. 
And  for  its  crimes  tir^nippctj^^  PY*''* 
We'd  find  fuljt  roQm  fp^'t  m  L.^ke  Erie,  op^ 
That  larger  water-pqi^,j.  I^japf^ioi;^*' 


Q 


»r» 


^te^ 


il..- 


,'5-. 


:^>^ 


'■i* 


,.^ss< 


*  This  fuppofition,  fo  tu  as  it  re^e«5bs  Lake  Superior,  is 
:*ot  exaggerated.  That  Lake  is  aaoo  mile«  in  circumference. 
his  fuppofed  by  fonie«  t;h»l  iQ  this-  p^age  thjC  Autkpr  nxean^ 
to  ridicule  tlvq  jfaf^oF^UBe  o^LOT^l,  Nor«;h,  iiy  the  lofs  of  his. 
fi^ht.  But  as  thi%  pQpn\  vt^  written  ^nd  publijOie^ji  ^01*4  ^ 
word,  as  in  this  edition,  fevei;al  years  before  that  -misfortune 
happened,  the  Author  muft  he  innocent  of  the  UsS^  M^ 


Xl'ANTO  IV. 


1W*FING  Ah. 


»39 


i 


is 

:e. 

W 

lis. 

Q|r 

ne 

Pi 

Where  North,  on  xnargni  taking  ftand^ 
Would  not  be  able  to  fpy  land. 
No  more,  elate  with  pow*r  at  eafc 
She  deals  her  infults  round  the  iVas ; 
See  !  dwindling  from  her  height  anlain^ 
What  piles  of  ruin  fpread  the  plain  <; 
With  mould'ring  hulks  her  ports  are  flllM> 
And  brambles  clothe  the  cultur'd  field ! 
See,  on  her  cli£Fs  her  Genius  lies, 
His  handkerchief  at  both  his  eyes^ 
With  many  a  deep-drawn  figh  and  groan^ 
To  mourn  her  ruin  and  his  own  ! 
While  joyous  Holland,  France,  and  Spain, 
With  conquering  navies  rule  the  main, 
And  Ruiflian  banners,  wide  unfurled. 
Spread  commerce  round  the  eaftern  world. 
And  fee  (fight  hateful  and  tormenting.) 
Th'  American  empire,  proud  a:nd  vauritingj 
From  anarchy  ftiall  change  her  crafis, 
And  fix  her  pow'r  on  firmer  bafis  ; 
To  glory,  wealth,  and  fame  afcend  ; 
Her  commerce  rife,  her  realms  extend  % 
Where  now  the  panther  guards  his  den, 
Her  defart  forefts  ifwarm  with  men, 

upon  any  thing  more  than  mental  blindnefs.  There  is  no  aftu- 
fion  to  any  other  eyes  in  his  lordfhlp,  tKah  the  eyes  of  his  un- 
derftanding,  which  were  fiip/pofed,'by  fohie|)e6pre,«t  tliat  tiiOe 
to  be  wonderfully  dhn ;  -cfpecially  when  TOBfidcr^d  bs  Wloi%- 
jRg  to  the  At-gU5  of  a  gfcai  natioiu 


140 


M*F.ING  AJL. 


CANTO  IV. 


Her  cities,  tow'rs  smd  colamns  rife. 
And  daziling  temples  meet  the  (kies ;    t 
Her  pines  defcending  to  the  main. 
In  triumph  fpread  the  wat'ry  plain  ; 
Rido  inland  lakes  with  fav'ring  gales, 
And  crowd  her  ports  with  whit'ntng  fails. 
Till  to  the  ikirts  of  weftem  day, 
The  peopled  regions  own  her  fway." 

Thus  far  M'Fingal  told  his  tale, 
When  thund'ring  fhouts  his  ears  affail^ 
And  ilraight  a  Tory  that  ftood  fentry, 
Aghaft,  rufli'd  headlong  down  the  entry. 
And  with  wild  outcry,  like  magician, 
Difpers'd  the  refidue  of  vifion  : 
For  now  the  Whigs  intelPgence  found 
Of  Tories  muft'ring  under  ground, 
And  with  rude  bangs  and  loud  uproar, 
'Gan  thunder  furious  at  the  door. 
The  lights  put  out,  each  Tory  calls, 
To  cover  him,  on  cellar  walls. 
Creeps  in  each  box,  or  bin,  or  tub. 
To  hide  his  head  from  wrath  of  mob. 
Or  lurks  where  cabbages  in  row 
Adom'd  the  fide  with  verdant  fhow; 
M*Fingal  deem'd  it  vain  to  ftay. 
And  rifk  his  bones  in  fecond  fray ; 
But  chofe  a  grand  retreat  from  foes. 
In  lit'ral  fenfe,  beneath  their  nofc. 
The  window  then^  which  none  elfe  kneWf 


CANTO  IV. 


M*FIKG  AL» 


M« 


He  foftly  open'd  and  crept  through. 

And  crawling  (low  in  deadly  fear, 

By  movements  wife,  mad.  good  his  rear  $ ' 

Then,  fcoming  all  the  fame  of  martyr. 

For  Bofton  took  his  fwift  departure  i 

Nor  dar'd  look  back  on  fatal  fpot. 

More  than  the  family  of  Lot. 

Not  North,  in  more  diftrefs'd  condition, 

Out-voted  firft  by  Oppofition : 

Nor  good  King  George,  when  that  dire  pliantom 

Of  Independence  comes  to  haunt  him. 

Which  hov'ring  round  by  night  and  day. 

Not  all  his  conj'rers  yet  can  lay. 

His  friends,  afTembkd  for  his  fake. 

He  wifely  left  in  pawn,  at  (lake. 

To  tarring,  feathering,  kicks,  and  drubs 

Of  furious,  difappointed  mobs, 

And  with  their  forfeit  hides  to  pay 

For  him,  their  leader  crept  away. 

So  when  wife  Noah  fummon'd,  greeting. 

All  animals  to  gen'ral  meeting ; 

From  ev'ry  fide  the  members  fent 

All  kinds  of  beads  to  reprefent ; 

Each  from  tlie  flood  took  care  t'  embark, 

And  fave  his  carcafs  in  the  ark ; 

But  as  it  fares  in  (late  and  church, 

Left  his  conflituents  in  the  lurch. 


F  I  K  I  S. 


E.    LARKIN, 

At  his  Book-Store,  No. 47,  Cornhill,  lboJtQ)iy 

KEEPS   CONSTANTLY    FOR   SALE 

A  large  Aflbrtment  of  Books, 

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./TLDAMS*8  Flowers  of  Travels,  a  vojsi 
Aikin's  Letters  to  his  Son  r 

Adams*8  Defence  of  the  American  Conllitutions,  3  vols. 
Arnold's  Poems  t  :  :  : 

Algerine  Captive,  1  vols.  :  :  ; 

Britifli  Album  :        .  :  :  : 

lieauties  of  Hiftory,  z  vols.  :  :  : 

by  Dodd  :  : 

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Blackilone's  Commentaries,  4  vols. 
Belfham's  Defence  of  Ufury  : 

Confiitutions  of  all  the  States,  with  the  Treaties 

— — '- — — — — — —  without  the  Treaties 

Cook's  Voyages,  2  vols.       •  :  : 

Cecilia,  by  Mifs  Burney,  3  vols.  :  ; 

Camilla, 1  ,  3  vols.  :  : 

Coquette,  or  Hiftory  of  Eliza  Wharton ,  : 

Dignity  of  Human  Nature,  by  Burgh  : 

Embaffy  to  China,  by  Anderfon  t 

Forefters,  an  American  Tale  :  : 

Franklin's  Works  .  .  •  • 

Fool  of  Quality,  3  vols. 

Hume  and  Smollet's  Hiflory  of  England,  12  vols. 

Jeffcrfon's  Notes  ou  Virginia  •  • 


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Kalme*»  Elements  of  Crkicifm,  2  toI^. 
Kyd  on  Bills  of  Exchange 
Laws  of  the  UQiteil  States,  3  vols. 
Morfe's  Univerfal  Geography,  1  vols. 

abridged. 


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abridged 


Millot's  Elements  of  General  Hiftory,  5  vols. 
Peter  Pindar's  Works,  a  vols.  .  . 

Robertfon's  Hiftory  of  America,  2  vols. 
——————— —  India  .  ! 

Robifon''8  Proofs  of  a.  Confpiracy  • 

'Reiidence  in  France,  by  Gi^ord  * 

Smith's  Wealth  of  N>itions,  3  vols.  . 

St^les*8  Life  .  .  .  « ' 

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Sullivan's  Diftrid  of  Maine 
Vattel's  Law  of  Nations  , 

Webfter's  Kffays 

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Walhington's  Official  Letters,  a  vols. 
■  —  Epiflles  . 

■      ■'  Speeches  .  .  . 

\lRS.  ROWSON'S  NOVELS,  viz. 

Reuben  and  Rachel  .  . 

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fiicilian  Romance  .,  *  - 

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in  the  feveral  departments  of  the  EmbalTy, 

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DATE  DUE 


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B  200-8- 


TR 


